Positive Health Online

Abstract

YU and colleagues, Cancer Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China write that high rates of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and primary liver cancer (PLC) are present in Qidong county.

Background

Methodology

Epidemiological surveys showed an inverse relationship between selenium (Se) level and cancer incidence as well as HBV infection. Animal studies indicated that Se dietary supplement reduced HBV infection by 77.2% and liver precancerous lesion by 75.8%. the authors conducted an intervention trial among the general population of 130,471, where individuals in 5 townships were observed regarding the preventive effect of Se.

Results

The 8-year follow-up results showed reduced PLC incidence by 35.1% in people supplemented with selenised table salt compared to the non supplemented population. Following the withdrawal of Se from the treated group, PLC incidence rate began to rise; however the inhibitory response to HBV was maintained during the 3-year cessation of treatment. A clinical study among 226 Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg)-positive individuals provided either 200 micrograms Se as selenised yeast tablet or identical placebo yeast table daily for 4 years. In this study, 7 of 113 individuals were diagnosed with PLC in the placebo group, whereas no incidence of PLC was found in 113 people supplemented with Se. Upon cessation of treatment, again PLC developed at a rate comparable to that in the control group, demonstrating that a continuous intake of Se is essential to sustain the chemopreventive effect.

Conclusion

: Selenium supplementation reduces Hepatitis B infection and liver cancer incidence.

References

Yu SY et al. Protective role of selenium against hepatitis B virus and primary liver cancer in Qidong. Biol Trace Elem Res 56(1): 117-24. Jan 1997.