Title:The Role of Selenium in Oxidative Stress and in Nonthyroidal Illness Syndrome (NTIS): An Overview
Volume: 27
Issue: 3
Author(s): Andrea Silvestrini*, Alvaro Mordente*, Giuseppe Martino, Carmine Bruno, Edoardo Vergani, Elisabetta Meucci and Antonio Mancini
Affiliation:
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Catholic University, Largo F. Vito 1, Rome 00168,Italy
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Catholic University, Largo F. Vito 1, Rome 00168,Italy
Keywords:
Deiodinases, oxidative stress, redox homeostasis, selenium, selenoproteins, thyroid dysfunction.
Abstract: Selenium is a trace element, nutritionally classified as an essential micronutrient,
involved in maintaining the correct function of several enzymes incorporating the selenocysteine
residue, namely the selenoproteins. The human selenoproteome including 25 proteins is
extensively described here. The most relevant selenoproteins, including glutathione peroxidases,
thioredoxin reductases and iodothyronine deiodinases are required for the proper cellular
redox homeostasis as well as for the correct thyroid function, thus preventing oxidative
stress and related diseases. This review summarizes the main advances on oxidative stress
with a focus on selenium metabolism and transport. Moreover, thyroid-related disorders are
discussed, considering that the thyroid gland contains the highest selenium amount per gram
of tissue, also for future possible therapeutic implication.