[Selenium and cardiovascular pathology].

Selenium deficiency has established implications in cardiovascular diseases, particularly on cardiac muscle integrity. The essential trace element takes part not only in the direct protection of endothelial cells against the accumulation of aggressive oxygen species, but also in the biosynthesis of arachidonic acid derivatives involved in platelet and leucocyte functions, or in the regulation of cholesterol. Moreover, it prevents toxic effects of cadmium and mercury, and modulates the active transport of calcium. Some clinical investigations have underlined its importance in the cardiac function and the prevention of coronary atherosclerosis, and several recent prospective epidemiological studies have attributed to selenium deficiency a greater incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Further studies should be devoted to the influence of marginal deficiency in this trace element whose optimal requirement does not seem to be met by the usual dietary intake.