Selenium Supplementation Reduces Cancer Incidence, particularly Prostate Cancer

A study conducted in the United States has revealed that selenium supplementation is effective in reducing the incidence of cancer, particularly prostate cancer. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin discovered that selenium compounds induce apoptosis, a process in which cells undergo programmed death, which plays a key role in cancer chemoprevention. The study found that selenite induces cancer cell death and apoptosis by producing superoxide radicals, and that overexpression of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) can inhibit this process.

Key Takeaways:

• Selenium supplementation is effective in reducing the incidence of cancer, particularly prostate cancer.
• Selenite induces cancer cell death and apoptosis by producing superoxide radicals.
• Overexpression of MnSOD inhibits selenite-induced superoxide production, cell death, and apoptosis.
• The mitochondrial-dependent pathway is involved in selenium-induced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells.
• Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) plays a crucial role in protection against prooxidant effects of superoxide from selenite.
• The study suggests that superoxide production in mitochondria is a key event in selenium-induced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells.

Statistics:

• 63.2

+ Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology volume and issue numbers.

• 351-362

+ Page numbers of the study published in Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology.

• 2009

+ Year in which the study was published.

Sources:

• Xiang, N., et al. (2009). Sodium selenite induces apoptosis by generation of superoxide via the mitochondrial-dependent pathway in human prostate cancer cells. Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, 63(2), 351-362.
• University of Wisconsin, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine.