Diversity Of Selenium Functions In Health And Disease

Named after Selene, Greek goddess of the moon, selenium (Se) has moved has moved from being thought of as a toxicant to being considered an essential nutrient with the potential to reduce cancer risk in the span of seven decades. Diversity of Selenium Functions in Health and Disease focuses on current knowledge of aspects of Se research relevant to its medical use, and particularly to chemoprevention of cancer. It covers how Se is integrated into selenoproteins, selenium compounds with individual functions and dual functions, and unexpected links to Se such as with diabetes. The text ends with a discussion of polymorphisms and mutations in genes of selenoproteins. The chapters elucidate why studies undertaken to prevent diseases with selenium ended with disappointing outcomes and often with the opposite result, i.e. disease promotion. They show that benefit, failure, or side effects depend on: The chemical form and dose of selenium The selenium status of the individual ingesting selenium The capacity of selenium form to serve as a source for selenoprotein biosynthesis The function of selenoproteins reacting to a change in the selenium status The stage of the disease (mainly cancer) at the time point of intervention The genetic background of individuals to be treated Bringing together the accumulated evidence regarding selenium biochemistry, the book covers aspects not found in available general monographs. The narrow focus on medical uses of Se helps resolve the present confusion about potential benefits and hazards of selenium in human health. The book gives you a solid scientific basis for optimum use of selenium in preventing or treating human diseases and answering the questions: Why is selenium essential? How much is required? What are the health consequences of low selenium and can selenium reduce cancer risk?

“Role of selenium in health and disease”. This book contains ten articles covering recent advances in our understanding of the relationship between the essential micronutrient selenium and human health and disease. Taken together, these articles strengthen the evidence showing that selenium, as a constituent of selenoproteins, is central to biological stress responses and mechanisms commonly altered in most complex disorders. Relevant to public health concerns, this book also emphasizes the U-shaped dose-response relationship between selenium concentration and disease risk across diverse populations from Europe [articles 2,3,6], the Middle East and North Africa [9], and Taiwan [5]. This highlights the importance of personalized nutrition strategies targeted at individuals with increased risk of disease and low selenium intake. The mechanisms by which selenium status, selenoprotein expression, and inherited genetic variations in the selenium pathway interact to affect molecular pathways involved in disease development are explored in human cohorts [2,3,5-7], and in animal [4] and in vitro models [8]. Furthermore, some reports identified novel potential biomarkers of disease risk and prognosis within the selenium pathway that could further our understanding of many chronic diseases [2,3]. Overall, this book broadens our understanding of the role of selenium in chronic diseases, and provides new directions for future preventative approaches.

Mammalian heme peroxidase enzymes play a critical role in innate immune responses and disease prevention. The formation of potent chemical oxidants is essential to this protective physiologic activity in immunity. Although highly beneficial in the context of immune defense, it is now well established that peroxidases and their overproduction of oxidants contribute to the initiation and persistence of many chronic inflammatory conditions in the cardiovascular, neurologic, respiratory, renal, and gastrointestinal systems. Peroxidasins, a protein family related to heme peroxidases, play a novel role in tissue biogenesis and matrix assembly, which are also attracting attention in different pathological contexts. Given the diverse roles of mammalian heme peroxidases and the breadth and incidence of pathologies associated with these enzymes, there has been significant interest in modulating peroxidase activity as a therapeutic strategy. This book highlights recent developments in our understanding of the chemistry, biochemistry and biological roles of mammalian peroxidases and their associated oxidants, their involvement in both innate immunity and chronic inflammatory disease in a variety of end organs, and potential therapeutic approaches to modulate and prevent damaging reactions. Key Features Structure and biosynthesis of mammalian peroxidases Reactivity of hypohalous acids with biological substrates Peroxidases in innate immunity Peroxidases in human pathology Modulation of peroxidase-induced biological damage

Much of the biology of oxidative stress and oxidative signalling centres on the generation and handling of hydrogen peroxide. The overall aim for this book would be to provide an insightful and useful forum to assist with the understanding of the relevance of hydrogen peroxide generation and how this is managed in human biology. The target audience would be those who currently have an interest in the generation of ROS, but who do not have expertise in chemistry, as well as those experts in the chemistry of oxidative stress, but without detailed understanding of the biologically relevant setting. We would aim to bridge the gap in understanding between chemistry and biology.

In the current edition, Selenium: Its Molecular Biology and Role in Human Health expands extensively on the previous editions providing readers with the most significant advances in the rapidly developing selenium field. Evidence from epidemiology and veterinary science supports the essential role of selenium in (human) health, but its split personality in both preventing and supporting cancer and also in promoting insulin resistance has become more clearly defined. The pivotal role of glutathione peroxidase 4 in a new process of programmed cell death, ferroptosis, brings new impetus to the field. Recently defined mutations in selenoprotein and biosynthesis factor genes have been identified in patients, and the resulting disorders further emphasize the significance of selenoproteins in human health. The mechanism of selenoprotein biosynthesis, the functions of selenoproteins, and the roles of dietary selenium have been further elucidated, and new regulatory mechanisms involving selenoproteins discovered. The book, therefore, covers the breadth of current selenium research. With up-to-date chapters written by leaders in their fields, it serves as an invaluable resource for novices as well as specialists.

Molecular, Genetic, and Nutritional Aspects of Major and Trace Minerals is a unique reference that provides a complete overview of the non-vitamin micronutrients, including calcium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium, and zinc. In addition, the book covers the nutritional and toxicological properties of nonessential minerals chromium, fluoride and boron, and silicon and vanadium, as well as ultra-trace minerals and those with no established dietary requirement for humans. Users will find in-depth chapters on each essential mineral and mineral metabolism, along with discussions of dietary recommendations in the United States and around the world. Presents the only scientific reference to cover all of the nutritionally relevant essential major and trace minerals Provides a broad introductory chapter on each mineral to give readers valuable background and context Clarifies the cellular and molecular aspects of each mineral and its genetic and genomic aspects Includes coverage of all nutritionally relevant minerals—essential major trace minerals and ultra-trace minerals Underscores the important interactions between minerals so readers learn how metabolism of one mineral influences another

Plasma medicine uses non-equilibrium plasmas generated under atmospheric-pressure conditions. Therapeutical plasmas can stimulate tissue regeneration or inactivate cancer cells. This book reviews the interrelation between plasma chemistry and biochemistry complemented by discussion of the ways plasmas inactivate various pathogens. Focus is on the plasma effects on mammalian cells, subsequent consequences for cell-biological processes, and plasma applicability specific medical therapies. Contributions illustrate the ways cold atmospheric-pressure plasma can be used as a controllable source of redox-active species and as a useful tool for research in redox biology. Key Features Summarizes plasma chemistry, biochemistry, and microbiology Documents the ways plasmas interact with lipids, membranes, and cells Reviews therapeutic uses of plasmas in medicine Focuses on uses of plasmas as cancer treatment

Proteostasis integrates biological pathways controlling biogenesis, trafficking, folding, and degradation of proteins. This book focuses on two protein breakdown/degradation processes (proteolysis), which are part of a normally functioning proteostatic system: the ubiquitin-proteasome system and autophagy. Chapter 2 of this book is freely available as a downloadable Open Access PDF at http://www.taylorfrancis.com under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license.