Selenium (Se) is an essential nutrient which plays a key antioxidant/catalytic role in animal and human physiology through its incorporation into enzymes involved in defense against oxidative stress, regulation of redox status and metabolic modulation of thyroid hormones activities [1-4].
Se is required in particular for reproductive and immune functions and its involvement has been shown in metabolic syndrome as well as in aging [5,6].
In addition, Se deficiency can occur in people dependent on food grown from Se-deficient soil, as well as in people with severely compromised intestinal function, or those undergoing total parenteral nutrition. In this context, Se supplementation - either alone or in combination - is essential for the treatment or the prophylaxis of deficiencies, and there is a growing interest for health nutrition and clinical indications [7,8].
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recently concluded [9,10] that a cause and effect relationship has been established between dietary intake of selenium and various health benefits in the general population, i.e., that selenium contributes to

  • the protection of cell constituents from oxidative damage,
  • the normal function of the immune system,
  • normal thyroid function,
  • normal spermatogenesis function,
  • the maintenance of normal hair
  • and the maintenance of normal nails

Se is present in the food chain in two forms, mineral and organic, in which sodium selenate/selenite and L-selenomethionine (SeMet) are the major representative compounds, respectively. In higher animals and humans, Se intake occurs mainly through SeMet. Moreover, this selenoorganic compound is characterized by better bioavailability and lower toxicity than inorganic sources of Se [11].
Based on a new concept of SeMet precursor, we have designed Se-containing molecules which are novel organic compounds [12].

References

  1. The human selenoproteome: recent insights into functions and regulation — REEVES M.A. and HOFFMANN P.R. — 2009 — Cell. Mol. Life Sci., vol. 66, pp. 2457-2478
  2. Selenium and thyroid — KOHRLE J. and GARTNER R. — 2009 — Best Pract. Res. Clin. Endocrinol., vol. 23, pp. 815-827
  3. Glutathione peroxidases and redox-regulated transcription factors — BRIGELIUS-FLOHE R. — 2006 — Biol. Chem., vol. 387, n°10-11, pp. 1329-1335
  4. Selenium and endocrine systems — BECKETT G. J. and ARTHUR J. R. — 2005 — J. Endocrinol., vol. 184, n°3, pp. 455-465
  5. Selenium and brain function: a poorly recognized liaison — SCHWEIZER U. et al. — 2004 — Brain Res. Rev., vol. 45, n°3, pp. 164-178
  6. Oxidants, oxidative stress and the biology of ageing — FINKEL T. and HOLBROOK N.J. — 2000 — Nature, vol. 408, pp. 239-247
  7. Selenium and inflammation: underlying anti-inflammatory mechanisms — DUNTAS L.H. — 2009 — Horm. Metab. Res., vol. 41, n°6, pp. 443-447
  8. Regulation and function of selenoproteins in human disease — BELLINGER F.P., RAMAN A.V., REEVES M.A. and BERRY M.J. — 2009 — Biochem. J., vol.422, n°1, pp. 11-22
  9. EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA); Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to selenium and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage (ID 277, 283, 286, 1289, 1290, 1291, 1293, 1751) , function of the immune system (ID 278), thyroid function (ID 279, 282, 286, 1289, 1290, 1291, 1293), function of the heart and blood vessels (ID 280), prostate function (ID 284), cognitive function (ID 285) and spermatogenesis (ID 396) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on request from the European Commission. EFSA Journal 2009; 7(9):1220. [24 pp.]. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2009.1220. Available online: www.efsa.europa.eu
  10. EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA); Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to selenium and maintenance of normal hair (ID 281), maintenance of normal nails (ID 281), protection against heavy metals (ID 383), maintenance of normal joints (ID 409), maintenance of normal thyroid function (ID 410, 1292), protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage (ID 410, 1292), and maintenance of the normal function of the immune system (ID 1750) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. EFSA Journal 2010; 8(10):1727. [18 pp.]. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1727. Available online: www.efsa.europa.eu/efsajournal.htm
  11. Selenium in Nutrition and Health — SURAI P.F. — 2007 — Nottingham University Press
  12. Patent N° FR2873376, US2006105960, WO2006008190