Positive Health Online

Abstract

RIVERA and colleagues, Departamento de Ultra-estrutura e Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, show that progressive Chagas’ cardiomyopathy is associated with low selenium levels.

Background

Selenium deficiency is linked to some cardiomyopathies.

Methodology

Cross-sectional study involving 170 patients from the same geographical region, divided into 4 groups according to clinical criteria: Indeterminate or asymptomatic (IND), cardiac asymptomatic (CARDa), cardiac symptomatic with moderate to severe heart dysfunction (CARDb), healthy adults (HA). Various biochemical parameters were measured.

Results

Selenium was significantly lower in CARDb patients than in either CARDa, IND, or HA subjects. This was not associated with a decrease in activity of glutathione peroxidase, or with a change in thyrotropin levels. Selenium correlated positively and significantly with ventricular ejection fraction.

Conclusion

The decrease in selenium seems to be a biological marker for Trypanosoma cruzi infection and related to the progression of the pathology.

References

Rivera MT, de Souza AP, Moreno AHM, Xavier Ss, Gomes JAS, Rocha MOC, Correa OR, Neve J, Vanderpas J, Araujo JTC. Progressive Chagas’ cardiomyopathy is associated with low selenium levels. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 66 (6): 706-712, Jun 2002. @i:83