Selenium and at-risk pregnancy: challenges and controversies
Abstract Selenium (Se), an essential trace element, is inserted as selenocysteine into an array of functional proteins and forms the core of various enzymes that play a cardinal role in antioxidant defense mechanisms, in redox regulation, and in thyroid hormone metabolism. Variations in plasma Se ar...
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doaj-0d5adcb1f5e2410e98a2c38900e349732020-11-25T03:48:27ZengBMCThyroid Research1756-66142020-10-0113111210.1186/s13044-020-00090-xSelenium and at-risk pregnancy: challenges and controversiesLeonidas H. Duntas0Evgenideion Hospital, Unit of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Thyroid Section, University of AthensAbstract Selenium (Se), an essential trace element, is inserted as selenocysteine into an array of functional proteins and forms the core of various enzymes that play a cardinal role in antioxidant defense mechanisms, in redox regulation, and in thyroid hormone metabolism. Variations in plasma Se are due to nutritional habits, geographic and ethnic differences, and probably to genetic polymorphisms, the latter still to be conclusively established. Se concentrations were reported to be low in women of reproductive age in the UK, decreasing further during pregnancy, this resulting in low plasma and placental antioxidant enzyme activities. Since low serum Se levels have been found in women with preeclampsia, it has been hypothesized that low maternal Se status during early gestation may be an indicator of preterm birth. Moreover, it is documented that Se administration during pregnancy tendentially reduced the markers of thyroid autoimmunity and the incidence of maternal hypothyroidism in the postpartum period. Importantly, low Se levels in pregnant women affect fetal growth and augment the risk of delivering a small-for-gestational age infant by reducing placental antioxidant defense, while low Se in the third trimester is thought to indicate increased demands by the placenta, an issue which requires further confirmation. There is evidently a need for double-blind, placebo-controlled studies to better determine the efficacy and safety of Se supplementation in pregnancy at high risk for complications, and for measurement of Se levels or of selenoprotein P, the most reliable parameter of Se status, particularly in selenopenic regions.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13044-020-00090-xSeleniumSelenoproteinsSelenomethionineSelenoprotein-PThyroid autoimmunityPregnancy |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Leonidas H. Duntas |
spellingShingle |
Leonidas H. Duntas Selenium and at-risk pregnancy: challenges and controversies Thyroid Research Selenium Selenoproteins Selenomethionine Selenoprotein-P Thyroid autoimmunity Pregnancy |
author_facet |
Leonidas H. Duntas |
author_sort |
Leonidas H. Duntas |
title |
Selenium and at-risk pregnancy: challenges and controversies |
title_short |
Selenium and at-risk pregnancy: challenges and controversies |
title_full |
Selenium and at-risk pregnancy: challenges and controversies |
title_fullStr |
Selenium and at-risk pregnancy: challenges and controversies |
title_full_unstemmed |
Selenium and at-risk pregnancy: challenges and controversies |
title_sort |
selenium and at-risk pregnancy: challenges and controversies |
publisher |
BMC |
series |
Thyroid Research |
issn |
1756-6614 |
publishDate |
2020-10-01 |
description |
Abstract Selenium (Se), an essential trace element, is inserted as selenocysteine into an array of functional proteins and forms the core of various enzymes that play a cardinal role in antioxidant defense mechanisms, in redox regulation, and in thyroid hormone metabolism. Variations in plasma Se are due to nutritional habits, geographic and ethnic differences, and probably to genetic polymorphisms, the latter still to be conclusively established. Se concentrations were reported to be low in women of reproductive age in the UK, decreasing further during pregnancy, this resulting in low plasma and placental antioxidant enzyme activities. Since low serum Se levels have been found in women with preeclampsia, it has been hypothesized that low maternal Se status during early gestation may be an indicator of preterm birth. Moreover, it is documented that Se administration during pregnancy tendentially reduced the markers of thyroid autoimmunity and the incidence of maternal hypothyroidism in the postpartum period. Importantly, low Se levels in pregnant women affect fetal growth and augment the risk of delivering a small-for-gestational age infant by reducing placental antioxidant defense, while low Se in the third trimester is thought to indicate increased demands by the placenta, an issue which requires further confirmation. There is evidently a need for double-blind, placebo-controlled studies to better determine the efficacy and safety of Se supplementation in pregnancy at high risk for complications, and for measurement of Se levels or of selenoprotein P, the most reliable parameter of Se status, particularly in selenopenic regions. |
topic |
Selenium Selenoproteins Selenomethionine Selenoprotein-P Thyroid autoimmunity Pregnancy |
url |
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13044-020-00090-x |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT leonidashduntas seleniumandatriskpregnancychallengesandcontroversies |
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