Selenium and human cancer

Selenium status in soil, water and essential crops of Iran

Abstracts

As a contributing factor to health, the trace element selenium (Se) is an essential nutrient of special interest for humans and all animals. It is estimated that 0.5 to 1 billion people worldwide suffer from Se deficiency. In spite of the important role of Se, its concentrations in soil, water and essential crops have not been studied in Iran. Therefore, the main aim of the current study was to determine the Se content of soil, water, and essential crops (rice in North, wheat in Center, date, and pistachio in South) of different regions of Iran. Sampling was performed in the North, South, and Central regions of Iran. In each selected area in the three regions, 17 samples of surface soil were collected; samples of water and essential crops were also collected at the same sampling points. Upon preliminary preparation of all samples, the Se concentrations were measured by ICP-OES Model Varian Vista-MPX. The amount of soil-Se was found to be in the range between 0.04 and 0.45 ppm in the studied areas; the Se content of soil in the central region of Iran was the highest compared to other regions (p<0.0001). The average Se concentration in irrigation water of different areas was less than 0.01 mg/L, and the mean concentrations of Se in the rice, wheat, date, and pistachio samples were 0.95, 0.74, 0.46, and 0.40 ppm, respectively. Although Se-soil and water-Se level in different regions were low, the typical levels of Se in the essential crops were relatively high.

Mineral insufficiency and cancer

There are excellent theoretical reasons why the mineral nutrients selenium, manganese, copper and zinc, known as the antioxidant minerals, may be involved in the prevention of cancer aetiogenesis. The biochemistry is discussed of the part played by the antioxidant minerals, in the wider context of the other dietary antioxidants vitamins A, E and C, and beta carotene, in preventing tissue damage caused by activated metabolites of oxygen. The likely part played by these oxygen metabolites is described and a detailed review given of the evidence that suggests a role for antioxidant minerals, notably selenium, in preventing carcinogenesis in a range of animal models. There follows a summary of the emerging epidemiological evidence that suggests clearly that low selenium intake is a risk factor in the aetiology of human cancer.