A Mechanistic Link Between Selenium and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Abstract

Purpose of Review Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a rapidly emerging disease caused by a highly contagious virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and this disease has affected millions of people across the world and led to hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide. Nutrition is a key factor related to this disease, and nutritional status may determine the risk and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Selenium is one of the major trace elements required for redox functions and has significant roles in viral infections. The purpose of this review was to examine the current evidence on the role of selenium in COVID-19. We reviewed studies on selenium and COVID-19, and other relevant studies to understand how selenium status can modify the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and how selenium status might affect a person post-infection. Recent Findings We found that oxidative stress is a characteristic feature of COVID-19 disease, which is linked with the immunopathological disorder observed in individuals with severe COVID-19. Selenium plays a key role in strengthening immunity, reducing oxidative stress, preventing viral infections and supporting critical illness. Moreover, selenium deficiency is related to oxidative stress and hyperinflammation seen in critical illness, and selenium deficiency is found to be associated with the severity of COVID-19 disease. Summary Selenium supplementation at an appropriate dose may act as supportive therapy in COVID-19. Future studies in large cohorts of COVID-19 are warranted to verify the benefits of selenium supplementation for reducing risk and severity of COVID-19.

Dietary Behaviors and Incident COVID-19 in the UK Biobank

“…Less attention has focused on modifiable risk factors preceding COVID-19 infection. While nutrition may theoretically impact COVID-19 susceptibility [3,6,[30][31][32], few investigations have specifically tested the hypothesis a priori. Low vitamin D status is associated with COVID-19 infection, severity, and mortality [33,34].…”

Selenomethionine: A Pink Trojan Redox Horse with Implications in Aging and Various Age-Related Diseases

“…Viral infections in general and SARS-CoV-2 infections in particular are also characterized by elevated OS, which ultimately results in immunopathological diseases. Selenium, being a multifunctional trace element, enhances immunity, decreases OS, inhibits viral infections and provides efficient support in healing the patients suffering from COVID-19 [61]. Furthermore, SeMet may inhibit single-stranded RNA viruses, such as Coxsackie virus, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), at a concentration of 50 µM, as observed in in vitro studies [62].…”

The Relevance of Plant-Derived Se Compounds to Human Health in the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Pandemic Era

“…A variety of factors including age, physiological and nutritional status, immunity strength, and genetic and environmental factors appear to be important determinants of the susceptibility of individuals to SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease severity [142]. Se supplementation effectively mitigates moderate and severe infections caused by different viruses [28] due to the high redox properties of Se compounds and the functions of selenoproteins in the host immunity.…”

“…Thus far, a few recent investigations have provided strong evidence for a nexus between Se status and COVID-19 outcomes [142,143]. Most of these studies were conducted in China, as this country has populations with both the lowest and the highest Se status globally.…”