Selenium and RNA virus interactions: Potential implications for SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19)

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic that already claimed more than 340,000 lives worldwide as of May 23, 2020, the majority of which are elderly. Selenium, a natural trace element, has a key and complex role in the immune system. It is well documented that Selenium deficiency is associated with higher susceptibility to RNA viral infections and more severe disease outcome. In this article, we firstly present evidence on how Selenium deficiency promotes mutations, replication and virulence of RNA viruses. Next, we review how Selenium might be beneficial via restoration of host antioxidant capacity, reduction of apoptosis and endothelial cell damages as well as platelet aggregation. It also appears that low Selenium status is a common finding in conditions considered at risk of severe COVID-19, especially in the elderly. Finally, we present a rationale for Selenium use at different stages of COVID-19. Selenium has been overlooked but may have a significant place in COVID-19 management, particularly in vulnerable elderly, and might represent a game changer in the global response to COVID-19.

RNA Viruses vs. DNA Synthesis: A General Viral Strategy That May Contribute to the Protective Antiviral Effects of Selenium

“…Specifically, antisense targeting of TR isoforms would be an elegant way for an RNA virus to partially inhibit DNA synthesis to enhance viral RNA synthesis, so that there will be more RNA to make into new viruses. As an essential component of TR, selenium thus could be considered a natural antagonist of RNA viruses, which casts a new light on an extensive body of literature linking selenium status to the incidence, morbidity and mortality of a number of RNA viral infections (as reviewed, [7][8][9]).…”

“…The recent demonstration by Zhang et al of a highly significant association between the outcome of SARS-CoV-2 (SCoV2) infection and previously documented regional selenium (Se) status in Chinese cities [10] is just the latest example of a role for selenium that has been reported for a variety of RNA viruses and reverse transcribing viruses with an RNA stage (HIV-1 and Hepatitis B virus) going back four decades. That these cases form a consistent pattern for the involvement of selenium in the incidence, progression or outcome of a variety of viral infections is attested by the fact that over the last several decades, this phenomenon has been the subject of a considerable number of independent reviews, of which I will cite only a few of the most recent [7][8][9].…”

“…In some cases, selenium compounds have been found to have direct antiviral activity either in cell culture (e.g., for influenza and oncogenic retroviruses [11,12]) or in an animal model (e.g., mouse mammary tumor virus, coxsackievirus and influenza [13][14][15]), or a clinical benefit in a human viral disease, e.g. HIV-1 (as reviewed in [9]) and epidemic hemorrhagic fever linked to hantavirus infection [16]. In other examples, the frequency of cases of infection, viral pathogenicity or disease progression has been found to be associated with either low Se status in patients (HIV-1, influenza), or with a geographic area in which Se deficiency was endemic due to low soil Se content (Coxsackievirus, hepatitis B and hantavirus), as reviewed by various authors [7][8][9]17].…”

“…HIV-1 (as reviewed in [9]) and epidemic hemorrhagic fever linked to hantavirus infection [16]. In other examples, the frequency of cases of infection, viral pathogenicity or disease progression has been found to be associated with either low Se status in patients (HIV-1, influenza), or with a geographic area in which Se deficiency was endemic due to low soil Se content (Coxsackievirus, hepatitis B and hantavirus), as reviewed by various authors [7][8][9]17]. For the viral infections in each of the latter examples, the increased mortality risk associated with low selenium status or reduced intake in the affected geographic region was significantly reduced by selenium supplementation in every case.…”

Environmental Integrants Affecting the Spreadability of SARS-CoV-12

“…The natural adsorbents, including clay, charcoal, and clay minerals showed 99.99% adsorption of SARS-CoV-2 (Robson 2020 ). The minerals may act against SARS-CoV-2, including selenium (Hiffler and Rakotoambinina 2020 ) and zinc (Skalny et al 2020 ). In contrary, iron-containing enzymes are essential for the viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 to complete their replication process.…”