Silicon in medicine and therapy

Abstract

Trace elements are a very important factor affecting functions of living organisms. Silicon, the third most abundant trace element in the human body, is present in all healthy tissues of people. It is especially strongly associated with connective tissues, as it has been found to participate in bone development, collagen formation and mineralization of bone matrix. Silicon has also been suggested to be involved in mammalian hormonal control and to protect people from heart diseases. An average dietary intake of silicon is about 20-30 mg/person/day, with higher intakes for men than women. Silicic acid or orthosilicic acid are the bioavailable forms of silicon, found mainly in food rich in fibre and whole grains, in vegetables, fruit and in drinking water. Various alcoholic beverages such as beer or wine also contain considerable amounts of silicon. Silicon provided with food is digested in the gastrointestinal tract to silicic acid, which is then absorbed. With blood, it is distributed into various tissues and organs, where it can exerts its action. The highest amounts of silicon are accumulated in the kidneys, liver, bone, skin, spleen, lungs, while free orthosilicic acid, not bounded to proteins, occurs in blood. The amount of silicon in tissues decreases with age. Depleted levels of silicon have also been observed in some pathological states e.g. atherosclerosis. The aim of the paper has been to present the role of dietary silicon in living organisms. Silicon is necessary for the growth and bone calcification and as a biological crosslinking agent of connective-tissue-based membrane structures. This element is considered to have beneficial effects on several human disorders, including osteoporosis, ageing of skin, hair and nails or atherosclerosis. It has also been suggested that silicon and silicic acid may decrease the bioavailability of aluminium by blocking the uptake of the latter by the gastrointestinal tract and impeding its reabsorption in the kidneys, thus protecting an organism against the toxic (especially neurotoxic) action of aluminium. Anticancer, antiatherosclerotic and antidiabetic effects of silicon have also been suggested.

Growth performance, meat quality, and bone-breaking strength in broilers fed dietary rice hull silicon

“…Some evidence indicates that silicon is associated with calcium metabolism and the formation and stabilization of extracellular bone matrix ( Reffitt et al., 2003 , Jugdaohsingh, 2007 ). With calcium, silicon can regulate calcium turnover influencing the processes of bone calcification and decalcification ( Boguszewska-Czubara and Pasternak, 2011 ). Maehira et al.…”

Open‐tubular capillary electrochromatographic application of a sol‐gel matrix with chilli peppers, garlic, or synthetic additives

“…Silicon, the third most common trace element in the human body, plays an important role in the correct functioning of body parts, including especially bones, joints, tendons, hair, nails, skin and blood vessels, securing connective tissue elasticity. It also can eliminate "undesirable" microorganisms, heavy metals, and other waste from a body [20,21]. Silicon in the form of silicic acid can be predominantly found in food of vegetable origin, like cereals, legumes, vegetables, and herbs (field horsetail and nettle) [20].…”

Review of metallic biomaterials in dental applications

“…Moreover, Si has the unique property to bind with heavy metals to form insoluble complexes, thereby possibly reducing the harmful effects. [ 31 ] Taking into account the effects of Si in the production of osteoblast cells, a chain of solgel-derived Si coating was developed with the parameters controlled to get materials, which is able to release Si compounds. To try out the released effects of Si, an in vitro performance of these coatings was experimented with mesenchyme stem cell of human adipose tissue, which resulted in significantly rapid increase and mineralization with high tetraethyl orthosilicate content over the coating.…”