Selenium concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity in blood of New Zealand infants and children

Abstract

The blood selenium (Se) concentrations of New Zealand children were lower than those reported for children living in other countries. This low blood Se was primarily determined by the low dietary intake of the children which, in turn, reflects the low Se content of New Zealand soils. Blood Se also varied geographically, with age, and with differences in quantities and types of food eaten. Children with phenylketonuria and maple syrup urine disease on synthetic diets had low Se intakes and blood Se concentrations compared with children on normal diets, and blood Se was seen to decrease with the length of time on these diets. A strong correlation (r = 0.62, P less than 0.001) was found between the blood Se levels and glutathione peroxidase activities for 107 children. Glutathione peroxidase activities of the children were lower than activities observed in New Zealand adults, refelecting their lower blood Se concentrations.

Influence of Age on the Selenium Status in Belgium and The Netherlands

“…In agreement with earlier reports (4,5,11,12), we found a positive correlation between the plasma selenium level and the GSH-Per activity in red blood cells. The fact that this relationship exists suggests at least a relative selenium deficiency in the infants with low plasma selenium values.…”

Selenium and Glutathione Peroxidase Levels in Premature Infants in a Low Selenium Community (Christchurch, New Zealand)

“…In more replete selenium areas, infant levels are less than levels in adults (21)(22)(23). There are limited data suggesting that this is also true in New Zealand (18,24), although no very young infants have been studied and no information is available for premature infants. Before investigating links with BPO, we measured the selenium status and the glutathione peroxidase status of infants admitted to the regional neonatal unit at Christchurch Women's Hospital and studied their relationships to the age of the infants.…”

Antioxidant status of the celiac mucosa: implications for disease pathogenesis

“…Selenium deficiency has already been reported in celiac patients (Stazi & Trinti, 2010;Yuce et al, 2004). Several studies have also reported a strong correlation between Gpx activity and Se level in the blood, especially when Se concentration is low (< 80 g/L) (Lloyd et al, 1989;McKenzie at al., 1978). Aw and coworkers suggested that GPx and GR per se are not limited in the catabolism of LOOH in the intestine.…”