Positive Health Online

Abstract

OMLAND and colleagues, Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, University of Aarhus, University Park Building. 260, Vennelyst Boulevard 6, DK 8000 Aarhus C, OM@aas.nja.dk, have found that selenium in serum and urine is associated with mild asthma and atopy.

Background

The aim of the study – the SUS study – was to examine relationships between selenium status, asthma, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and atopy.

Methodology

72 men with mild asthma, 41 men with BHR, and 41 men with no respiratory symptoms, all aged between 17 and 22 years, were examined. All underwent a medical interview, and FEV1 and FVC were recorded. Histamine bronchial reactivity was measured, skin prick test to assess inhalant allergy was performed, and selenium was measured in serum and urine.

Results

Selenium in serum was lower in subjects with asthma, and selenium in urine was lower in subjects with asthma or atopy compared to those with no respiratory symptoms (p = 0.05). In men with asthma atopy was significantly associated with selenium in urine (p = 0.05). Subjects with BHR had the same selenium status as subjects with no respiratory symptoms. Also, smokers had lower selenium concentrations in serum.

Conclusion

Selenium status was associated to asthma and smoking. Measuring selenium in urine might add further information to possible relations between selenium, asthma, and atopy.

References

Omland O, Deguchi Y, Sigsgaard T, Hansen JC. Selenium serum and urine is associated to mild asthma and atopy. The SUS study. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology 16 (2): 123-127, 2002.