Blood selenium and glutathione peroxidase activity in normal subjects and in surgical patients with and without cancer in New Zealand
1979
Robinson, Marion F. | Godfrey, Philip J. | Thomson, Christine D. | Rea, Heather M. | van Rij, Andre M.
The relationship between blood selenium and cancer was studied in Otago, New Zealand, where most arable land has a low selenium content. Selenium (Se) concentration in whole blood, erythrocytes and plasma, and activity of glutathione peroxidase were measured in blood from 104 healthy residents, 80 cancer patients, and 66 noncancer surgical patients. Residents over 60 years of age had lower blood Se levels than the young and middle-aged. Blood Se levels of cancer patients were no lower than those of elderly subjects and patients without cancer, and were less than half comparable U.S. values. Blood Se levels were decreasing in 2 cancer patients and the lowest values were obtained for 5 cancer patients and 2 noncancer patients after a long period of inanition; these were similar to values for patients on parenteral nutrition with negligible intakes. Lower blood Se levels were associated with lower serum albumin and enzyme activities. Low Se status of cancer patients was more likely a consequence of their illness than the cause of the cancer.
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