The
Role of Glutathione Peroxidase in the Metabolism of Prostaglandins
This
enzyme plays a part, at the level of the platelet cyclo - oxigenase, in
the formation of the tromboxan TXA2 product, this being a compound that
has a strong pro - aggregation and vessel – constrictor
action.
It also intervenes with the lipid – oxigenases during the
conversion of arachidonic acid in leucotrians, such as LTB4, the
biochemical support for inflammation. Therefore, biochemical mechanisms
are closely connected to micronutrients. The metabolism of
poliunsaturated fatty acids depends on selenium and glutathione
peroxidase, in which selenium is found in the form of selenium
cysteine, a seleniated amino acid. Moreover, selenium and vitamin E are
inseparable cofactors. By means of comparison with the zinc, it can be
shown that:
- zinc also intervenes in the
poliunsaturated fatty acids (PNFA) metabolism;
-
zinc is a cofactor of vitamin B6, which in turn intervenes in the
metabolism of all amino acids.
Therefore,
it is important that in medical practice the prescription of large
doses of a single element to be avoided; it is rather preferable to
administer micronutrients in a multi elementary manner, in good
balance. The administration of a single micronutrient will likely
trigger a number of metabolic consequences, difficult to evaluate.
The
Disintoxication Action of Selenium
In
vivo, selenium interacts with a large number of potentially toxic
minerals: arsenic (As), silver (Ag), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), lead
(Pb) and platinum (Pt). at micronutritional levels (between 50 and 200
micrograms/day), selenium is able to prevent the toxic effects of these
elements, probably by forming less toxic / inactive derivatives.
To
sum
up, selenium modulates the toxicity of heavy metals, and thus:
-
reduces mortality, teratogeny and cardio toxicity;
- lowers
the hypertensive effect (particularly that due to cadmium);
-
diminishes the gonadic threat;
- reduces the kidney failure
(mainly caused by mercury, lead and platinum);
- reduces the
neurological insufficiencies (caused by the presence of organic
mercury).
Kidney
insufficiencies are regularly observed in the case of anticancer
platinum treatment. The interaction of selenium with the heavy metals
results in a genuine desintoxication, at least up to a certain level of
their concentrations. The role selenium plays in the desintoxication of
the body can be expanded with the activity of selenium in cases of
alcoholic intoxications. The effect of selenium use is that it
increases the tolerance of alcohol up to a certain level of the
concentration, in the case of reasonable mundane alcoholism. It is
practically inefficient when the alcoholism has become excessive and
limitless. In that particular case though, the solution might be
psychiatric help, and, if it is successful, clinical micronutrition is
likely to become useful.
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deficit of
selenium in alimentation and the risk of cardiovascular diseases 
