HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Rationale for clinical trials of selenium as an antioxidant for the treatment of the cardiomyopathy of Friedreich's ataxia.

Abstract
A pure selenium deficiency is harmful to the heart and causes a fatal dilated congestive cardiomyopathy in animals (white muscle disease) and in man (Keshan disease). Both of these syndromes are selenium-responsive. A deficiency of the micronutrient has also been reported in patients with Friedreich's ataxia and there are histological similarities between Friedreich's cardiomyopathy and Keshan disease. A low selenium status results in reduced selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity. This essential antioxidant enzyme protects membrances from oxidative deterioration, a function it shares in common with vitamin E. As iron-induced mitochondrial lipid peroxidation is central to the pathology of Friedreich's ataxia, the administration of selenium supplements should normalize the antioxidant activity of myocardial glutathione peroxidase and slow the progression of the life-shortening cardiomyopathy associated with this illness.
AuthorsM J Fryer
JournalMedical hypotheses (Med Hypotheses) Vol. 58 Issue 2 Pg. 127-32 (Feb 2002) ISSN: 0306-9877 [Print] United States
PMID11812188 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
CopyrightCopyright 2002 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.
Chemical References
  • Antioxidants
  • Vitamin E
  • Glutathione Peroxidase
  • Selenium
Topics
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants (therapeutic use)
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated (drug therapy, etiology, metabolism)
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Friedreich Ataxia (complications, drug therapy, metabolism)
  • Glutathione Peroxidase (metabolism)
  • Humans
  • Selenium (deficiency, therapeutic use)
  • Vitamin E (pharmacology)
  • White Muscle Disease (drug therapy, etiology, metabolism)

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: