Positive Health Online

Abstract

ZHOU and colleagues, Graduate School of Medicine, Tianjin Medical University, Qi-Xiang-Tai Street, Tianjin, PR China write that hypertension-induced target organ damage (TOD), is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality.

Background

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the pathogenesis and development of hypertension. It has been suggested that hypertension-induced TOD is related to the level of oxidative stress, but is in part independent of the level of blood pressure.

Methodology

In addition to anti-hypertensive drug therapy, novel strategies against ROS, will provide additional benefits to patient with hypertension.

Results

Vitamin E has long been supplemented as an effective antioxidant. However, the potential hazardous effects of vitamin E supplementation as antioxidant revealed by recent studies make its clinical and routine use prudent. Therefore, novel approaches capable of enhancing endogenous system to defend against ROS are required.

Conclusion

The authors propose that enhancement of intrinsic defences against ROS by supra-nutritional level of selenium is more safe and effective than antioxidant supplementation in reducing hypertensive target organ damage, owing to its role in activating and constitution of native vital proteins and/or enzymes against oxidative stress, and the fact that scarcity of selenium can not be supplemented by normal food, and potentially extra benefits by supra-normal intake.

References

Zhou X,  Ji WJ,  Zhu Y,  He B,  Li H, Huang TG and  Li YM. Enhancement of endogenous defenses against ROS by supra-nutritional level of selenium is more safe and effective than antioxidant supplementation in reducing hypertensive target organ damage. Medical Hypotheses 68(5): 952-6. 2007.