Understanding the importance of selenium and selenoproteins in muscle function

Abstract

Abstract. Selenium is an essential trace element. In cattle, selenium deficiency causes dysfunction of various organs, including skeletal and cardiac muscles. In humans as well, lack of selenium is associated with many disorders, but despite accumulation of clinical reports, muscle diseases are not generally considered on the list. The goal of this review is to establish the connection between clinical observations and the most recent advances obtained in selenium biology. Recent results about a possible role of selenium-containing proteins in muscle formation and repair have been collected. Selenoprotein N is the first selenoprotein linked to genetic disorders consisting of different forms of congenital muscular dystrophies. Understanding the muscle disorders associated with selenium deficiency or selenoprotein N dysfunction is an essential step in defining the causes of the disease and obtaining a better comprehension of the mechanisms involved in muscle formation and maintenance.

Low serum selenium concentrations are associated with poor grip strength among older women living in the community

“…This finding is consistent with the idea that selenium plays an important role in normal muscle function [27]. A potential biological mechanism by which selenium could contribute to muscle weakness is through maintenance of an optimal concentration of glutathione peroxidase, a key antioxidant selenoenzyme, and/or selenoprotein W. The serum selenium concentrations among women in the present study were lower than that described among older men and women in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, [14] but were not as low as serum selenium concentrations that are associated with overt selenium deficiency.…”

“…The accumulation of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA damage and increase in oxidative stress may contribute to the loss of myocytes and compromise skeletal muscle function [3]. In higher eukaryotes 26 selenoproteins have been identified [27] and in animals alone 25 have been found; although the function of many of these selenoproteins remains unknown [16]. Of the known selenoproteins, there are three known serum selenium containing proteins: extracellular glutathione peroxidase, selenoprotein P and albumin [21].…”

“…Of the known selenoproteins, there are three known serum selenium containing proteins: extracellular glutathione peroxidase, selenoprotein P and albumin [21]. Selenium plays an essential role in muscle function [27] and selenoenzymes such as glutathione peroxidase protect myocytes from reactive oxygen species [8]. Selenoprotein W has been shown to contain reduced glutathione, therefore it may also be involved with antioxidant functions [1].…”

Congenital muscular dystrophy. Part II: a review of pathogenesis and therapeutic perspectives

“…Therefore the spectrum of selenoprotein-related disorders includes rigid spine CMD, multiminicore myopathy, desmin-related myopathy with Mallory body-like inclusions and congenital fiber-type disproportion. rederstorff et al 191 confirmed the importance of selenium-containing proteins in muscle formation, maintenance and repair and attested that in patients with selenoprotein-related disorders most of mutations are nonsense mutations and deletions, likely to induce a loss of function.…”

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“…SelN is the only selenoprotein so far directly linked to a disease (230,265), and unlike the other selenoproteins, its characterization started with a known loss-of-function phenotype. Several forms of early-onset myopathies characterized by hypotonia, weakness, axial muscle impairment, spinal rigidity and life-threatening respiratory failure have been linked to the SelN gene (SEPN1) locus (265).…”