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Review
. 2022 Jul 6:2022:7009863.
doi: 10.1155/2022/7009863. eCollection 2022.

Selenium Status and Its Antioxidant Role in Metabolic Diseases

Jing Huang  1 , Ling Xie  1 , Anni Song  1 , Chun Zhang  1
Affiliations
Review

Selenium Status and Its Antioxidant Role in Metabolic Diseases

Jing Huang et al. Oxid Med Cell Longev. .

Abstract

Selenium (Se), in the form of selenoproteins, is an essential micronutrient that plays an important role in human health and disease. To date, there are at least 25 selenoproteins in humans involved in a wide variety of biological functions, including mammalian development, metabolic progress, inflammation response, chemoprotective properties, and most notably, oxidoreductase functions. In recent years, numerous studies have reported that low Se levels are associated with increased risk, poor outcome, and mortality of metabolic disorders, mainly related to the limited antioxidant defense resulting from Se deficiency. Moreover, the correlation between Se deficiency and Keshan disease has received considerable attention. Therefore, Se supplementation as a therapeutic strategy for preventing the occurrence, delaying the progression, and alleviating the outcomes of some diseases has been widely studied. However, supranutritional levels of serum Se may have adverse effects, including Se poisoning. This review evaluates the correlation between Se status and human health, with particular emphasis on the antioxidant benefits of Se in metabolic disorders, shedding light on clinical treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Outline of selenium absorption and transportation under the conditions of adequate and deficient Se supply. In general, Se is mainly obtained through the diet and absorbed via the duodenum and caecum. SEPP1, the major transport form of Se, is synthesized and secreted by the liver and transported to other tissues through systemic circulation. When Se supply is adequate, plasma SEPP1 is absorbed by apoER2 in the brain, thyroid gland, testis, and other tissues and by megalin in the kidney. When Se supply is deficient, the brain, thyroid gland, testis, and SKM retain or redistribute Se to maintain physiological function, while the levels of Se in the liver, lung, and other tissues rapidly decrease, resulting in a tissue Se hierarchy.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Graphical summary of the potential effects of the various selenoproteins in tissues and organelles. In general, Se is widely expressed in many organs, such as the thyroid gland, heart, liver, pancreas, and skeletal muscle. As an antioxidant agent, Se is incorporated into selenoproteins, which play an important role in the glucose and lipid metabolism and may be involved in metabolic disorders, including cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disorders, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In addition, selenoproteins are highly expressed in the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, which indicates a close correlation between energy metabolism and selenoproteins. Furthermore, the importance of selenoproteins in antioxidant defense and anti-inflammatory capacity has been widely reported. These roles may partly contribute to the role of Se within the occurrence and development of diseases.
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