GASTRIC TISSUE SELENIUM LEVELS IN HEALTHY-PERSONS, CANCER AND NONCANCER PATIENTS WITH DIFFERENT KINDS OF MUCOSAL DAMAGE

The gastric tissue levels of selenium (Se) were examined in 15 healthy subjects aged 18-43 (mean 36 +/- 12) years, 17 patients with stomach cancer aged 23-79 (mean 60 +/- 17) years, 20 patients with mild gastri tis aged 18-65 (mean 35 +/- 12) years, 13 patients with chronic gastri tis aged 28-69 (mean 47 +/- 15) years, 33 patients with erosive gastri tis aged 16-70 (mean 49 +/- 17) years and 23 patients with ulcers aged 22-76 (mean 49 +/- 17) years. The Se concentration was determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) with palladium a s a matrix modifier. The mean +/- the standard deviation (SD) of the g astric tissue Se levels were 473 +/- 80, 35 +/- 9.0, 355 +/- 243, 567 +/- 246, 571 +/- 241 and 813 +/- 427 mu g/Kg in healthy subjects and i n patients with cancer, ulcers, mild gastritis, chronic gastritis and erosive gastritis, respectively. The Se concentration in the biopsies of patients with gastric ulceration and cancer were significantly lowe r than that in patients with gastritis (p<0.05)and the other condition s (p<0.0001).