210 research outputs found
Possible involvement of overexposure to environmental selenium in the etiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a short review.
Excess exposure to the metalloid selenium (Se), a trace element with both toxicologicaland nutritional properties, has been implicated in the etiology of a human motor neuron diseaseof unknown origin and extremely severe prognosis, sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).This relation has been suggested on the basis of two epidemiologic investigations which found anincreased risk of ALS associated with residence in a seleniferous area or with consumption of drinkingwater with unusually high levels of inorganic hexavalent Se, in South Dakota and in northernItaly respectively. Biological plausibility to a Se-ALS relation is provided by veterinary medicineobservations and toxicological studies, showing that Se, particularly the inorganic forms, has a selectivetoxicity to motor neurons in swine and in cattle. Neurotoxic effects of Se species have also beendemonstrated in laboratory studies and, for the inorganic forms, even at very low concentrations.Selenium has also been shown to affect muscle function in experimental animal models. Overall,these findings from the epidemiologic and the toxicological literature indicate that environmental Se,particularly in its inorganic forms and at unexpectedly low levels of exposure, might be a risk factorfor ALS, suggesting the opportunity to further investigate this issue
Assessment of selenium and cadmium levels in serum and toenails: A cross-sectional study in Modena, Northern Italy.
Assessment of selenium and cadmium levels in serum and toenails: A cross-sectional study in Modena, Northern Italy
Selenium in humans: which is the safe range of intake?
Selenium in humans: which is the safe range of intake
Selenium, zinc and copper content of foods consumed in an Italian community
This study aimed to determine the concentrations of selenium,
zinc and copper in foods generally composing the diet of Northern
Italy population in order to implement a database of the quantitative
content for each of the three trace elements, according to
food category intake. Food samples were collected from (small to
large) distribution markets in triplicates and trace elements determination
was performed with ICP-MS after sample mineralization.
We found the highest levels of selenium in meat (202g/kg),
fish and seafood (489), dry fruits (314) and legumes (220). The
level of zinc was higher in cereal products (11.7 mg/kg), meat
(28.4), dairy products (18.8), legumes (21.2) and dry fruits (37.8).
Finally, the highest concentration of copper was found in dry fruits
(14.9 mg/kg), legumes (6.2), sweets (4.1) and meat (3.7). Our findings
will allow to estimate dietary trace elements exposure which
could be useful for both toxicological and epidemiological studies
Correlation between cadmium and selenium blood levels in an Italian population.
Correlation between cadmium and selenium blood levels in an Italian population
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