Selenious Acid

Uses

Selenious Acid is an ingredient found in supplements, vitamins, parenteral nutrition, and dandruff shampoo.

Selenium injection is indicated for use as a supplement to intravenous solutions given for total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Administration of selenious acid in TPN formulas helps to maintain plasma selenium levels and also to maintain endogenous stores to prevent deficiency .

Selenium compounds, such as selenium sulfide, are used topically in anti-dandruff shampoos and in cases of seborrhea .

For the purpose of brevity, selenite will the focus of discussion, and more information about selenium can be obtained at Selenium.

Selenious Acid is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Selenium Deficiency, Parenteral Nutrition, Selenium Supplementation

How Selenious Acid works

Sodium selenite likely has the same mechanism of action as Selenium.

The most important physiological role of sodium selenite is associated with its presence as an active component of many enzymes and proteins, in addition to its antioxidative role. Selenium has been shown to activate anticancer agents, prevent heart and vascular diseases, exhibit anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties, and to stimulate the immune system .

Its anticancer properties may be explained by the oxidation of free sulfhydryl groups. Tumor cells express free sulfhydryl groups (–SH) on the surface of their cell membranes and contribute to uncontrolled cell division. Only those compounds that can oxidize these groups to disulfides (S–S) may inhibit this process. Some organic forms of selenium, including selenocysteine, methylseleninic acid, and Se-methylselenocysteine have been established to be antioxidants. However, their anticancer mechanism is still not well understood .

Selenious Acid, during an in vitro study, was found to stimulate hemoglobin synthesis in three different malignant erythroleukemia cell lines (MEL) . It has also been shown to increase the release of interleukin 2 in a dose-dependent manner . Interleukin-2 is made by a type of T lymphocyte (white blood cell). It increases the growth and activity of other T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes and this contributes to the development of the immune system .

Toxicity

The toxicity of selenium has been consistently well documented. However, some early studies reported that selenium may be a carcinogen. Nelson et al. (1943) showed that rats fed diets containing Se as seleniferous wheat developed hepatic tumors and low-grade carcinomas in 11 out 53 study animals .

Selenium at high doses (15-30 mcg/egg) has been reported to have significant adverse embryological effects on developing chickens. There currently no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Selenious Acid injections should be used during pregnancy only when the potential benefits justify the potential risk to the growing fetus .

The presence of selenium in the placenta and the umbilical cord blood has been reported in humans .

Overdosage symptoms with selenious acid include:

Acute Brick red–color gastric mucosa, cerebral edema, coma, death, fulminating peripheral vascular collapse, garlic or sour breath odor, gastrointestinal disturbance, hemolysis, hypersalivation, internal vascular congestion, liver necrosis, muscle spasms, pulmonary edema, and restlessness .

Chronic Dental defects, dermatitis, garlic odor of breath and/or sweat, gastrointestinal disorders, hair loss, mental depression, metallic taste, nervousness, nausea, vomiting, weak nails .

Food Interaction

Volume of Distribution

Following oral intake and absorption, selenium from sodium selenite is found in the highest concentrations in the liver and kidneys of humans and animals .

In one study, tissue samples taken at autopsy from 46 healthy individuals killed in accidents and from 75 corpses of victims of various diseases to analyze selenium levels and distribution . The per-weight-unit basis of selenium levels ng/gm in wet in tissues decreased in the following order: kidney (469) > liver > spleen > pancreas > heart > brain > lung > bone > skeletal muscle. The highest proportion of body selenium was found in skeletal muscles (27.5%) , . Significantly less selenium was measured in bones (16%) and blood (10%). In the tissues of cancer corpses, the selenium levels were lower than levels in the control group. The lowest selenium concentrations were measured in alcoholic livers .

Elimination Route

The absorption of selenite following oral administration approximately 40-70% of an oral dose, based on studies done in humans .

Selenoprotein P, the plasma form of selenium, contains at least 40% of the total selenium in plasma . Deletion of the gene for selenoprotein P in mouse models alters the distribution of selenium in body tissues suggesting that selenoprotein P is necessary for selenium transport .

Half Life

30 days in beagle dogs .

Elimination Route

Selenium is eliminated mainly in the urine. However, significant endogenous losses through the feces can also occur . The rate of excretion varies with the chemical form of selenium used in supplementation and the route of administration. Other minor routes of elimination are lungs and skin .

Analysis of 72-hour urine sampling from a study of 48 Norwegian women given a 200 μg supplement of selenium in the form of selenite indicated approximately 50% absorption of selenite .

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