Liu Hongmei, Xu Huibi, Huang Kaixun
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China.
Metallomics. 2017 Jan 25;9(1):21-37. doi: 10.1039/c6mt00195e.
Atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent the greatest threats to human health worldwide. Selenium, an essential trace element, is incorporated into selenoproteins that play a crucial role in human health and disease. Although findings from a limited number of randomized trials have been inconsistent and cannot support a protective role of Se supplementation in CVDs, prospective observational studies have generally shown a significant inverse association between selenium or selenoprotein status and CVD risk. Furthermore, a benefit of selenium supplementation in the prevention of CVDs has been seen in population with low baseline selenium status. Evidence from animal studies shows consistent results that selenium and selenoproteins might prevent experimental atherosclerosis, which can be explained by the molecular and cellular effects of selenium observed both in animal models and cell cultures. Selenoproteins of particular relevance to atherosclerosis are glutathione peroxidases, thioredoxin reductase 1, selenoprotein P, selenoprotein S. The present review is focusing on the existing evidence that supports the concept that optimal selenium intake can prevent atherosclerosis. Its underlying mechanisms include inhibiting oxidative stress, modulating inflammation, suppressing endothelial dysfunction, and protecting vascular cells against apoptosis and calcification. However, the benefit of selenium supplementation in the prevention of atherosclerosis remains insufficiently documented so far. Future studies with regard to the effects of selenium supplementation on atherosclerosis should consider many factors, especially the baseline selenium status, the dose and forms of selenium supplementation, and the selenoprotein genotype. Additionally, much more studies are needed to confirm the roles of selenoproteins in atherosclerosis prevention and clarify the underlying mechanisms.
动脉粥样硬化及相关心血管疾病（CVD）是全球人类健康面临的最大威胁。硒作为一种必需的微量元素，被纳入硒蛋白中，这些硒蛋白在人类健康和疾病中发挥着关键作用。尽管少数随机试验的结果并不一致，无法支持补充硒对心血管疾病的保护作用，但前瞻性观察研究总体上显示，硒或硒蛋白水平与心血管疾病风险之间存在显著的负相关。此外，在基线硒水平较低的人群中，补充硒对预防心血管疾病有一定益处。动物研究的证据显示了一致的结果，即硒和硒蛋白可能预防实验性动脉粥样硬化，这可以通过在动物模型和细胞培养中观察到的硒的分子和细胞效应来解释。与动脉粥样硬化特别相关的硒蛋白有谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶、硫氧还蛋白还原酶1、硒蛋白P、硒蛋白S。本综述重点关注支持最佳硒摄入可预防动脉粥样硬化这一概念的现有证据。其潜在机制包括抑制氧化应激、调节炎症、抑制内皮功能障碍以及保护血管细胞免受凋亡和钙化。然而，迄今为止，补充硒对预防动脉粥样硬化的益处仍缺乏充分的文献记载。未来关于补充硒对动脉粥样硬化影响的研究应考虑许多因素，尤其是基线硒水平、补充硒的剂量和形式以及硒蛋白基因型。此外，还需要更多的研究来证实硒蛋白在预防动脉粥样硬化中的作用，并阐明其潜在机制。
