SERUM SELENIUM CONCENTRATION OF A HEALTHY NORTHWEST SPANISH POPULATION

Selenium (Se) is an essential element, cofactor for glutathione peroxi dase (GSHPx) activity, whose deficiency may induce modifications in th e cellular antioxidative status and induce the appearance of different diseases. Current views suggest that a serum Se concentration inferio r to 45 mu g/L may correlate with an increased risk of coronary hearth diseases, coronary atherosclerosis and cancer. Since the Se concentra tion in human blood varies between geographical areas, we initiated a study to evaluate the Se status in the general healthy population of B arcelona. Serum Se concentration was investigated in a random sample o f 150 subjects (age range 18-70 yr) by graphite furnace atomic spectro metry (FLAAS). L'vov platform, Zeeman background correction, and other specifications of stabilized temperature platform furnace (STPF) conc ept were followed. The results show that in the general population of Barcelona, Se serum concentration ranges between 60 and 106 mu g/L (X = 80.7 +/- 10 mu g/L). These values can be considered within the safe limits, since no subject was found with a concentration lower than the threshold of 45 mu g/L.