Selenium

Hi Krista! Selenium as an anti cancer agent, as you noted, has been noted, and it's great you brought this to our attention, as the swirl of life often helps us forget the fine details. Andrew Weil has written much on this. Also, selenium and prostate cancer has been actively discussed.



While a long article, I thought just pasting foods which contain this trace mineral may be helpful. The key with trace minerals is not to overdue.



"Although too much selenium can actually be toxic to the system, research indicates the majority of the population is not getting enough of the essential mineral. So, how can we up our intake of selenium and help our bodies fight cancer? The good news is there are some good dietary sources of selenium: Mushrooms, egg yolks, seafood, poultry and kidney, liver and muscle meats contain the mineral. Vegetables -- garlic, onions, broccoli, asparagus, tomatoes and others -- as well as whole grains and seeds can also be good sources of selenium" from above article (The mineral selenium proves itself as powerful anti-cancer medicine).



When I read an article like this, I always wonder, well I already have breast cancer, can it do me any good. So this morning I looked around a little bit, and thought I would share the below article. It's comparable to calling it, "keeping it tight", which is what I'd like to do better with my abs too:





J Cell Biochem. 2007 May 1;101(1):155-66. Links



Enhanced tight junction function in human breast cancer cells by antioxidant, selenium and polyunsaturated lipid.



Martin TA, Das T, Mansel RE, Jiang WG.

Metastasis & Angiogenesis Research Group, Department of Surgery, Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom. Martinta1@cf.ac.uk



Paracellular permeability (PCP) is governed by tight junctions (TJs) in epithelial cells, acting as cell-cell adhesion structures, the aberration of which is known to be linked to the dissociation and metastasis of breast cancer cells. This study hypothesized that the function of TJs in human breast cancer cells can be augmented by gamma linolenic acid (GLA), selenium (Se), and iodine (I) in the presence of 17-beta-estradiol, as these molecules are known to increase TJ functions in endothelial cells, using assays of trans-epithelial resistance (TER), PCP, immunofluorescence, and in vitro invasion and motility models. GLA, I, and Se individually increased TER of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. The combination of all three agents also had a significant increase in TER. Addition of GLA/Se/I reduced PCP of both breast cancer cell lines. GLA/Se/I reversed the effect of 17-beta-estradiol (reduced TER, increased PCP). Immunofluorescence revealed that after treatment with Se/I/GLA over 24 h, there was increasing relocation to breast cancer cell-cell junctions of occludin and ZO-1 in MCF-7 cells. Moreover, treatment with GLA/Se/I, alone or in combination, significantly reduced in vitro invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells through an endothelial cell barrier (P < 0.0001) and reduced 17-beta-estradiol induced breast cancer cell motility (P < 0.0001). Our previous work has demonstrated that GLA, I, and Se alone, or in combination are able to strengthen the function of TJs in human endothelial cells; this has now proved to be true of human breast cancer cells. This combination also completely reversed the effect of 17-beta-estradiol in these cells. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.



Heavy reading, but these tight junctions between cells have long been studied, and viewed as important in keeping all as it should be.



Thanks for posting this, Krista. I see you are relatively new here, and wish to welcome you. I always enjoy research articles as do a good number of us here.



All the best to you,

Tender

"Our previous work has demonstrated that gamma linolenic acid (GLA), selenium (Se), and iodine (I) alone, or in combination are able to strengthen the function of TJs (tight cell junctions) in human endothelial cells; this has now proved to be true of human breast cancer cells. This combination also completely reversed the effect of 17-beta-estradiol in these cells."



So, the researchers suggest that selenium, iodine, and gamma linoleic acid strengthen a breast cancer cells "tight junction region" (region of cells designed to stay locked or tight, and which if not tight or locked allow transfer of intracellular material or extracellular material through this formerly closed region of the cell). This is how the researchers put it:



"Paracellular permeability (PCP) is governed by tight junctions (TJs) in epithelial cells, acting as cell-cell adhesion structures, the aberration of which is known to be linked to the dissociation and metastasis of breast cancer cells."



So they comment that loss of control of tight junctions in epithelial cells, such as breast cancer cells, alters their permeability and may result in alteration of cell adhesion to one another, which if loss, may allow a cancer cell to break away and metastasize through the lymph and blood to a new site.



Lastly, and somewhat fascinatingly, they propose that iodine, selenium, and gamma linoleic acid also reduced 17-beta-estradiol induced breast cancer cell motility (motility of a cell augments the likelihood of migration and metastasis).



So good stuff, yet I have no advice as to how much or which to take of these agents. Perhaps one of our biochemists or pharmacologists will be able to help. And the link to the full article posted by Kristi does talk about how to take these items in in your diet.



Here is a link to the American Cancer Society' discussion of gamma linoleic acid, also called evening primrose oil. GLA is a known precursor to prostaglandin, and these are involved in the bodies inflammation cascade, which increasingly seems to play an important role in cancer development and maybe control (the COX2 inhibitor studies in breast cancer treatment/metastasis curtailment.

Link:http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Gamma_Linolenic_Acid.asp?sitearea=ETO



I better stop here, as this is getting a little unweildly. Perhaps others will come along and help.



I hope your feeling better after your chemo, Kimmi.



All the best, Tender

Tender,

That is interesting reading! Any thoughts on these supplements in metastatic patients?

Thanks,

Diane