The Role of Selenium in Pathologies: An Updated Review

Abstract

Selenium is an essential microelement required for a number of biological functions. Selenium—and more specifically the amino acid selenocysteine—is present in at least 25 human selenoproteins involved in a wide variety of essential biological functions, ranging from the regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration to the biosynthesis of hormones. These processes also play a central role in preventing and modulating the clinical outcome of several diseases, including cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, mental disorders, cardiovascular disorders, fertility impairments, inflammation, and infections (including SARS-CoV-2). Over the past years, a number of studies focusing on the relationship between selenium and such pathologies have been reported. Generally, an adequate selenium nutritional state—and in some cases selenium supplementation—have been related to improved prognostic outcome and reduced risk of developing several diseases. On the other hand, supra-nutritional levels might have adverse effects. The results of recent studies focusing on these topics are summarized and discussed in this review, with particular emphasis on advances achieved in the last decade.

Ebselen Interferes with Alzheimer’s Disease by Regulating Mitochondrial Function

“…Another organic selenium, selenomethionine (Se-Met), was found to attenuate the amyloid and hyperphosphorylated tau levels, modulate autophagy, reduce glial activation, attenuate neuroinflammation, relieve nerve cell death and reverse synaptic deficit in AD model cells and mice [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. In addition, severe selenium deficiency was detected in both AD patients and AD model mice [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. These studies suggest that selenium, as an essential micronutrient, has a potential role in the treatment of AD.…”

Thyroid Dysfunction and COVID-19: The Emerging Role of Selenium in This Intermingled Relationship

“…Selenium is an essential trace element in humans, exerting multiple beneficial actions at a cellular level that are principally due to the biological role of selenoproteins [ 89 ]. Selenoproteins (in humans, identified 25 proteins belonging to this family) are fundamental both for the developmental processes and for the pathological evolution of cells [ 90 ].…”

“…These redox enzymes exploit the chemical properties of Se for antioxidant protection, redox homeostasis, and endoplasmic reticulum stress [ 13 ]. GPx1-4 and TrxR are involved in the protection against oxidative stress and oxidant-driven cell death [ 89 ]. Additionally, GPx and TrxR enzymes also play a central role in nitrosative stress responses, metabolizing nitrosothiols and peroxynitrite, two major reactive nitrogen species [ 91 ].…”

“…Additionally, GPx and TrxR enzymes also play a central role in nitrosative stress responses, metabolizing nitrosothiols and peroxynitrite, two major reactive nitrogen species [ 91 ]. GPx3 is considered a tumor suppressor, GPx2 seems to act at the very early stages of cancer, while selenoprotein H is a key regulator for the cell cycle, indicating the role of selenoproteins in cancer could be both preventive and therapeutic ( Figure 2 ) [ 89 ]. Selenium and selenium-containing compounds attenuate inflammatory signaling pathways, with the four isoforms of GPx reducing the high levels of free radicals produced during inflammation and cytosolic GPx4 inhibiting interleukin-driven-nuclear factor (NF)-kB activation and leukotriene biosynthesis [ 89 , 92 ].…”

Selenocarbamates As a Prodrug‐Based Approach to Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibition

“…[27] Selenium is an essential trace element with important biological functions, involved in the regulation of biochemical pathways having a role on a number of pathologies. [28] Selenium-containing compounds have emerged as interesting inhibitors of zinc finger proteins. [29] For example, ebselen and selenite have been reported to inhibit cysteine-rich zinc-finger transcription factors.…”