Selenium in plasma of inhabitants of the Gdansk region

The aim of this study was: (a) to estimate the concentration of selenium in plasma of 136 residents (59 men and 77 women) of the Gdansk region, northe rn Poland, aged 19-70; and (b) to compare the obtained results with data co rresponding to healtly populations living in different European countries. Selenium in plasma was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry using t he hydride generation method. The mean selenium concentration in plasma of the investigated persons was: 72.3 +/- 14.1 mug/l, in men 75.9 +/- 12.8 mug /l, in women 69.5 +/- 14.7 mug/l. No age-dependent differences in plasma se lenium were found in the investigated population. In 22% of the investigate d persons the selenium level in plasma was lower than 60 mug/l. The obtaine d results indicate that a significant part of this population is deficient in selenium and should be supplemented with this element.