ABSTRACT
Selenium is an ultra-trace element widely distributed in the environment, although its consumption varies significantly depending on the region. Its daily requirements range between 50 and 200 micrograms/day (or a minimum of 1 microgram/kg/day), which are supplied by animal and vegetal foods. Its essentiality in human nutrition is derived from its antioxidative action, being a part of the glutation-peroxidase system (GPx). Thus, it is a protective agent against the harmful action of free radicals. Determination of the selenium-dependent GPx activity seems to be the best index for the assessment of nutritional status. A deficit of selenium will result in a decrease of the GPx activity and, therefore, in a increase of cell damage which cannot be counter-balanced by other antioxidative systems. Diet has a relevant role for the maintenance of selenium status. Deficiency conditions may appear in different population groups when the selenium content in the diet is inadequate. Toxicity states are rare, but some diseases are sensitive to this element, which is mainly involved in cancer prevention.
Subject(s)
Selenium/physiology , Adult , Child , Food , Humans , Infant , Nutritional Requirements , Nutritional Status , Selenium/deficiencyABSTRACT
Microalbuminuria has been shown to be important for the diagnosis and prognosis of glomerular nephropathy. A few studies in normal healthy children were performed. The concentration of albumin was determined in 171 samples of the first morning urine by an immunoturbidimetric method. Microalbumin/creatinine ratio values were 4.07 +/- 0.11 mg/mmol, 1.16 +/- 0.10 mg/mmol and 0.88 +/- 0.11 mg/mmol in children of ages 4 days-1 year, 1-7 years and 7-15 years, respectively. We found a negative inverse correlation (r = 0.31; p < 0.05) between age and microalbumin/creatinine ratio.
Subject(s)
Albuminuria/etiology , Glomerulonephritis/urine , Adolescent , Albuminuria/diagnosis , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , MaleABSTRACT
Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most serious complications of diabetes mellitus because of the associated mortality and morbility. The proteinuria, together with hypertension and renal function, are the clinical features. It is linked with a major prevalence of the other late complications of the disease. In recent years progress has been made in the knowledge of the natural history of the disease, as well as, its predictive factors. We review the etiopathogenia, the actual therapeutic management with special emphasis on hypertension treatment and the controversial metabolic control.
