Decreased serum selenium in alcoholics--a consequence of liver dysfunction. 1983

M J Välimäki, and K J Harju, and R H Ylikahri

The serum concentration of selenium was decreased by 17 and 48% in non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic alcoholics, respectively, as compared to healthy controls. In these alcoholics the serum selenium correlated positively with the serum albumin and plasma prothrombin time and inversely with the serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. Abstinence from ethanol for two weeks was without effect on the serum selenium level in non-cirrhotic alcoholics and acute alcohol intake did not change the serum selenium concentration in non-alcoholic volunteers. In patients with primary biliary cirrhosis the serum concentration of selenium was similar to that in the alcoholic cirrhotics. In patients with hypoalbuminaemia of renal origin the serum selenium was normal. In conclusion our results show that the deterioration of liver function, irrespective of its aetiology, leads to the decrease in serum selenium levels. Whether a defect in removal of lipoperoxides is associated with this decrease in serum selenium concentration remains to be decided by further studies.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008104 Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic FIBROSIS of the hepatic parenchyma due to chronic excess ALCOHOL DRINKING. Alcoholic Cirrhosis,Hepatic Cirrhosis, Alcoholic,Alcoholic Hepatic Cirrhosis,Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis
D008105 Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary FIBROSIS of the hepatic parenchyma due to obstruction of BILE flow (CHOLESTASIS) in the intrahepatic or extrahepatic bile ducts (BILE DUCTS, INTRAHEPATIC; BILE DUCTS, EXTRAHEPATIC). Primary biliary cholangitis involves the destruction of small intra-hepatic bile ducts and decreased bile secretion. Secondary biliary cholangitis is produced by prolonged obstruction of large intrahepatic or extrahepatic bile ducts from a variety of causes. Biliary Cirrhosis,Biliary Cirrhosis, Primary,Biliary Cirrhosis, Secondary,Cholangitis, Chronic Nonsuppurative Destructive,Liver Cirrhosis, Obstructive,Primary Biliary Cholangitis,Biliary Cirrhosis, Primary, 1,Primary Biliary Cirrhosis,Secondary Biliary Cholangitis,Secondary Biliary Cirrhosis,Biliary Cholangitides, Primary,Biliary Cholangitis, Primary,Biliary Cholangitis, Secondary,Cholangitides, Primary Biliary,Cholangitis, Primary Biliary,Cholangitis, Secondary Biliary,Cirrhosis, Biliary,Cirrhosis, Secondary Biliary,Liver Cirrhoses, Biliary,Obstructive Liver Cirrhosis,Primary Biliary Cholangitides,Secondary Biliary Cholangitides
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D011517 Prothrombin Time Clotting time of PLASMA recalcified in the presence of excess TISSUE THROMBOPLASTIN. Factors measured are FIBRINOGEN; PROTHROMBIN; FACTOR V; FACTOR VII; and FACTOR X. It is used for monitoring anticoagulant therapy with COUMARINS. Quick Test,Russell's Viper Venom Time,Thrombotest,Russell Viper Venom Time,Russells Viper Venom Time,Prothrombin Times,Test, Quick,Time, Prothrombin,Times, Prothrombin
D005723 gamma-Glutamyltransferase An enzyme, sometimes called GGT, with a key role in the synthesis and degradation of GLUTATHIONE; (GSH, a tripeptide that protects cells from many toxins). It catalyzes the transfer of the gamma-glutamyl moiety to an acceptor amino acid. GGTP,Glutamyl Transpeptidase,gammaglutamyltransferase,gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase,Transpeptidase, Glutamyl,Transpeptidase, gamma-Glutamyl,gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase,gamma Glutamyltransferase
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D000437 Alcoholism A primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking, most notably denial. Each of these symptoms may be continuous or periodic. (Morse & Flavin for the Joint Commission of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and the American Society of Addiction Medicine to Study the Definition and Criteria for the Diagnosis of Alcoholism: in JAMA 1992;268:1012-4) Alcohol Abuse,Alcoholic Intoxication, Chronic,Ethanol Abuse,Alcohol Addiction,Alcohol Dependence,Alcohol Use Disorder,Abuse, Alcohol,Abuse, Ethanol,Addiction, Alcohol,Alcohol Use Disorders,Chronic Alcoholic Intoxication,Dependence, Alcohol,Intoxication, Chronic Alcoholic,Use Disorders, Alcohol
D000469 Alkaline Phosphatase An enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of an orthophosphoric monoester and water to an alcohol and orthophosphate. EC 3.1.3.1.

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