Selenium, selenoproteins and cancer of the thyroid

Selenium is an essential mineral element with important biological functions for the whole body through incorporation into selenoproteins. This element is highly concentrated in the thyroid gland. Selenoproteins provide antioxidant protection for this tissue against the oxidative stress caused by fr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology 2023-03, Vol.76, p.127115, Article 127115
Main Authors: Rua, Rui Manuel, Nogales, Fátima, Carreras, Olimpia, Ojeda, María Luisa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antioxidants
Humans
Oxidative stress
Selenium
Selenium - metabolism
Selenoproteins
Selenoproteins - metabolism
Supplementation
Thyroid cancer
Thyroid Neoplasms
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Summary:Selenium is an essential mineral element with important biological functions for the whole body through incorporation into selenoproteins. This element is highly concentrated in the thyroid gland. Selenoproteins provide antioxidant protection for this tissue against the oxidative stress caused by free radicals and contribute, via iodothyronine deiodinases, to the metabolism of thyroid hormones. It is known that oxidative stress plays a major role in carcinogenesis and that in recent decades there has been an increase in the incidence of thyroid cancer. The anti-carcinogenic action of selenium, although not fully understood, is mainly attributable to selenoproteins antioxidant properties, and to the ability to modulate cell proliferation (cell cycle and apoptosis), energy metabolism, and cellular immune response, significantly altered during tumorigenesis. Researchers have suggested that different forms of selenium supplementation may be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of thyroid cancer; however, the studies have several methodological limitations. This review is a summary of the current knowledge on how selenium and selenoproteins related to thyroid cancer. •There seems to be an association between lower selenium concentrations and the development of thyroid cancer.•Selenoproteins play crucial roles in cellular processes such as DNA synthesis and protection from oxidative damage.•Changes in the expression and activity of various selenoproteins in different types of thyroid cancer have been detected.•Although selenium supplementation may be useful in the fight against thyroid cancer, the data so far are inconclusive.
ISSN:0946-672X
1878-3252
DOI:10.1016/j.jtemb.2022.127115