Dietary Selenium in Adjuvant Therapy of Viral and Bacterial Infections

Abstract

Viral and bacterial infections are often associated with deficiencies in macronutrients and micronutrients, including the essential trace element selenium. In selenium deficiency, benign strains of Coxsackie and influenza viruses can mutate to highly pathogenic strains. Dietary supplementation to provide adequate or supranutritional selenium supply has been proposed to confer health benefits for patients suffering from some viral diseases, most notably with respect to HIV and influenza A virus (IAV) infections. In addition, selenium-containing multimicronutrient supplements improved several clinical and lifestyle variables in patients coinfected with HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Selenium status may affect the function of cells of both adaptive and innate immunity. Supranutritional selenium promotes proliferation and favors differentiation of naive CD4-positive T lymphocytes toward T helper 1 cells, thus supporting the acute cellular immune response, whereas excessive activation of the immune system and ensuing host tissue damage are counteracted through directing macrophages toward the M2 phenotype. This review provides an up-to-date overview on selenium in infectious diseases caused by viruses (e.g., HIV, IAV, hepatitis C virus, poliovirus, West Nile virus) and bacteria (e.g., M. tuberculosis, Helicobacter pylori). Data from epidemiologic studies and intervention trials, with selenium alone or in combination with other micronutrients, and animal experiments are discussed against the background of dietary selenium requirements to alter immune functions.

Prevention and Treatment of Influenza, Influenza-Like Illness, and Common Cold by Herbal, Complementary, and Natural Therapies

“…Dietary supplementation containing selenium supply has been proposed to confer health benefits by improving the immune response to viral infections, especially with respect to influenza A virus, and response to influenza vaccine. [64][65][66] A study in Japan investigated the favorable effects Mekabu fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from seaweed, concerning the immune response to influenza vaccine. The study revealed that Mekabu fucoidan intake increased antibody production after vaccination, perhaps preventing influenza epidemics.…”

Low-Level Aflatoxin B1 Promotes Influenza Infection and Modulates a Switch in Macrophage Polarization from M1 to M2

“…In addition, viral reassortment and cross-infection play a contributory role in the ineffectiveness of the vaccine. In particular, previous studies have provided evidence that the severity of viral infection is associated with some environmental, nutritional, and immune factors, such as mycotoxin contamination [3,4], selenium deficiency [5,6], and macrophage polarization [7]. These factors may partially explain the global differences in morbidity and mortality in animals and humans.…”

Ginseng stem‐leaf saponins in combination with selenium enhance immune responses to an attenuated pseudorabies virus vaccine

“…Se status affects functions of both innate and adaptive immune cells; deficiency of Se can cause decreased lymphocyte proliferation or decreased immunoglobulin concentrations . When supplemented supranutritionally, Se favors increased proliferation and differentiation of naive CD4 + T‐lymphocytes into Th1 cells, resulting in stimulation of acute cellular immune responses . Liu et al found that selenylation of Atractylodes macrocephala polysaccharide with sodium selenite increased the immune‐enhancing ability of that polysaccharide when injected into chickens vaccinated with ND vaccine .…”