Relationship between selenium and lipid hydroperoxide formation in human atherosclerosis

ABSTRACT

In this study, serum lipid hydroperoxides, selenium, HDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol as well as triglycerides [TC] were determined. The levels of total cholesterol and TG were increased in contrast to low HDL-cholesterol in atherosclerotics compared to the control group. The serum levels of lipid hydroperoxides were significantly in creased in atherosclerotics [126.68 + 13.9 ng/ml] compared to the control group [50.5+4.37 ng/ml]. Serum selenium shows no significant difference between atherosclertics [230 + 22 ng/ml] and the control group [200 +/- 11 ng/ml]. It is apparent that, although serum lipid hydroperoxides play a well established role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, yet selenium alone-has no protective role against atherosclerosis. So, all antioxidants including selenium must be studied as a whole to verify their role in atherogenesis