Requirements for selenium and other antioxidant nutrients are increased in pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory conditions such as excess adiposity. Data concerning the association of excess general and central adiposity with circulating selenium concentrations, however, are limited. We examined the cross-sectional associations of body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (%BF), and waist circumference (WC) with serum selenium concentrations in 6440 men and 6849 women aged ≥20 years who participated in the U.S. Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. In multivariable analyses, the average difference (95% confidence interval (CI)) in serum selenium comparing the highest with the lowest quartiles of BMI was −4.0 (−5.5, −1.6) ng/mL in both men and women. These inverse associations were evident after further adjustment for WC. For %BF, the average differences (95% CI) in serum selenium between the highest and the lowest quartiles of %BF were −1.7 (−4.2, 0.7) ng/mL in men and −4.5 (−7.0, −1.9) ng/mL in women. The inverse association in women persisted after adjusting for WC. For WC, the average differences (95% CI) in serum selenium between the highest and the lowest quartiles were −1.9 (−3.8, −0.1) ng/mL in men and −3.9 (−5.8, −2.0) ng/mL in women. After further adjustment for BMI, the inverse association became positive in men and null in women. Our findings suggest that general and central adiposity have different associations with serum selenium levels and that these associations may depend on gender. Full article

The effects of selenium (Se)-biofortified corn on the total Se contents, the antioxidant enzyme levels, and the amino acids composition in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) during the stage of the fifth shelling to maturity were investigated in the present study. The culture density of crabs was 600 per 667 m², and they were continuously fed 120.4 mg Se from Se-biofortified corn per 667 m² every two days for 90 days. The results showed that the total muscle Se levels in the crabs were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Activities of hemolymph supernatant enzymes including alkaline phosphatase (AKP), lysozyme (LZM), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also enhanced (p < 0.05). The protein and crude fat levels at maturity were higher than those at the fourth molt. The levels of total essential amino acids (∑EAAs) and total delicious amino acids (∑DAAs) were significantly increased (p < 0.05). We demonstrate that the feeding of Se-biofortified corn could significantly improve total muscle Se concentrations and hemolymph supernatant antioxidant enzyme activities in Chinese mitten crab, and slow down the rapid decline of ∑EAAs and ∑DAAs at maturity, thus improving the nutritional quality of Chinese mitten crab. Full article

Cereals and soybeans are the main food sources for the majority of Chinese. This study evaluated the effects of four common cooking methods including steaming, boiling, frying, and milking on selenium (Se) content and speciation in seven selenium bio-fortified cereals and soybeans samples. The Se concentrations in the selected samples ranged from 0.91 to 110.8 mg/kg and selenomethionine (SeMet) was detected to be the main Se species. Total Se loss was less than 8.1% during the processes of cooking except milking, while 49.1% of the total Se was lost in milking soybean for soy milk due to high level of Se in residuals. It was estimated that about 13.5, 24.0, 3.1, and 46.9% of SeMet were lost during the processes of steaming, boiling, frying, and milking, respectively. Meanwhile, selenocystine (SeCys₂) and methylselenocysteine (SeMeCys) were lost completely from the boiled cereals. Hence, steaming and frying were recommended to cook Se-biofortified cereals in order to minimize the loss of Se. Full article

Since the environmental levels of selenium (Se) can moderate the bioaccumulation and toxicity of mercury (Hg) in marine organisms, their interactions were studied in seawater, sediments, plankton and the benthic (Bull ray Pteromylaeus bovinus, Eagle ray Myliobatis aquila) and the pelagic (Pelagic stingray Dasyiatis violacea) rays, as apex predators in the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea). Male and female rays showed no difference in the Se contents in muscle tissue. Pelagic species contained higher Se levels in muscle but slightly lower levels in the livers of both genders. The Hg/Se ratios in seawater dissolved and colloidal fractions, plankton and sediment were <0.5, while those in particulate matter were <1.3. In benthic ray species, a parallel increase in Se and Hg in muscle was observed, so that an increased in Hg (MeHg) bioaccumulation results in Se coaccumulation. The Hg/Se ratios (molar) in muscle and liver of pelagic and benthic rays were <1.4 and <0.7, respectively. The low levels of Hg in muscle and liver in all the ray species corresponded to low Hg/Se ratios and increases in muscle and liver to 1 at 7 µg/g, dry weight (dw) and 5 µg/g dw, respectively, i.e., about 1.6 µg/g wet weight (ww). Full article

Research conducted during the 1980s demonstrated Se deficiency in humans. Increased inclusion of selenium in animal feeds started from the year 2000 onwards. The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of selenium inclusion in animal feeds on human selenium status and dietary habits of the Serbian population related to food of animal origin. Plasma selenium concentration in healthy adult volunteers, including residents of one of the regions with the lowest (Eastern Serbia, n = 60) and of one of the regions with the highest Se serum levels reported in the past (Belgrade, n = 82), was determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry. Multivariate analysis was employed to determine the correlation between Se plasma levels and dietary intake data derived from food frequency questionnaires and laboratory tests. The mean plasma Se level of the participants was 84.3 ± 15.9 μg/L (range: 47.3–132.1 μg/L), while 46% of participants had plasma Se levels lower than 80 μg/L. Frequency of meat, egg, and fish consumption was significantly correlated with plasma selenium level (r = 0.437, p = 0.000). Selenium addition to animal feed in the quantity of 0.14 mg/kg contributed to the improvement of human plasma selenium levels by approximately 30 μg/L. Full article

The present study investigates consumers’ acceptance of Se-biofortified apples, as well as Se health and nutrition claims that have been approved by the European Commission. Despite indications that such statements are more likely to be accepted if the carrier product itself has a healthy image, unprocessed fruits biofortified with Se have not been investigated in this context yet. Apples as the most frequently-consumed type of fresh fruit in Germany may offer the potential to improve the Se status of consumers when the produce is enriched with Se. Therefore, an online survey of 356 German adults was conducted to analyze different aspects that could affect the perception of and preference for the proposed product concept by consumers. The findings indicate a moderate acceptance of Se-biofortified apples, as well as of Se health and nutrition claims among the participants. Additional information about beneficial health effects of Se had a significant impact on consumer acceptance. People who regularly eat convenience food and prefer to buy apples at supermarkets were particularly attracted by the product idea. In conclusion, the results of the study indicate good prospects for a successful introduction of Se-rich apples in the German food market, if the produce is advertised with approved health and nutrition claims. Full article

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient known for its antioxidant properties and health benefits, attributed to its presence in selenoproteins as the amino acid, selenocysteine. Selenocysteine lyase (Scly) catalyzes hydrolysis of selenocysteine to selenide and alanine, facilitating re-utilization of Se for de novo selenoprotein synthesis. Previously, it was reported that male Scly^−/− mice develop increased body weight and body fat composition, and altered lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, compared to wild type mice. Strikingly, females appeared to present with a less severe phenotype, suggesting the relationship between Scly and energy metabolism may be regulated in a sex-specific manner. Here, we report that while body weight and body fat gain occur in both male and female Scly^−/− mice, strikingly, males are susceptible to developing glucose intolerance, whereas female Scly^−/− mice are protected. Because Se is critical for male reproduction, we hypothesized that castration would attenuate the metabolic dysfunction observed in male Scly^−/− mice by eliminating sequestration of Se in testes. We report that fasting serum insulin levels were significantly reduced in castrated males compared to controls, but islet area was unchanged between groups. Finally, both male and female Scly^−/− mice exhibit reduced hypothalamic expression of selenoproteins S, M, and glutathione peroxidase 1. Full article