Increased consumption of wheat biofortified with selenium does not modify biomarkers of cancer risk, oxidative stress, or immune function in healthy Australian males

Abstract

Increased intake of selenium (Se) may reduce the risk of degenerative diseases including cancer but excessive intake may be toxic. Wheat is a major source of dietary Se in humans. However, the effect of Se from wheat that is agronomically biofortified with Se on biomarkers of human health status is unknown. This study aimed to investigate whether improving Se status, by increased dietary intake of Se‐biofortified wheat, affects biomarkers of cancer risk, cardiovascular disease risk, oxidative stress, and immune function in healthy South Australian men. A 24‐week placebo‐controlled double‐blind intervention was performed in healthy older men (n = 62), with increased dose of Se intake every 8 weeks. Wheat was provided as 1, 2, and 3 puffed wheat biscuits, during weeks 1–8, 9–16, and 17–24, respectively. Blood was collected to measure a wide range of disease risk biomarkers. Consumption of Se‐biofortified wheat was found to increase plasma Se concentration from a baseline level of 122 to 192 μg/L following intake of three biscuits/day, which provided 267 μg Se. Platelet glutathione peroxidase, chromosome aberrations, and DNA damage in lymphocytes measured using the cytokinesis‐block micronucleus cytome assay and with the Comet assay, plasma F2‐isoprostanes, protein carbonyls, plasma C‐reactive protein, and leukocyte number were unaffected by the improved Se status. Improvement of Se status by consumption of Se‐biofortified wheat did not substantially modify the selected biomarkers of degenerative disease risk and health status in this apparently selenium‐replete cohort of healthy older men in South Australia. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Nutritional Countermeasures Targeting Reactive Oxygen Species in Cancer: From Mechanisms to Biomarkers and Clinical Evidence

“…By contrast, several other studies showed that cancer-relevant biomarkers of oxidative stress were unchanged by diet. For instance, increased consumption of selenium-rich food and subsequent increase in blood Se concentrations did not affect biomarkers of oxidative stress in healthy Australian males (387). No differences in the DNA and lipid oxidative damage markers and antioxidant capacity between intervention groups of healthy, nonsmoking men receiving 2, 5, or 8 servings/day of vegetables and fruit were found (45).…”

Managing the Selenium Content in Soils in Semiarid Environments through the Recycling of Organic Matter

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Selenium in Soil-Crop-Animal System: A Holistic Perspective to Manage Animal and Human Health

“…They reported that consumption of 20 g of biofortified lentil can supply all of the recommended daily allowance of Se. Consumption of Sebiofortified wheat was found to increase plasma Se concentration from a baseline level of 122 to 192 µg L -1 [135]. However, improvement of Se status by consumption of Se-biofortified wheat did not substantially modify the selected biomarkers of degenerative disease risk and health status in selenium replete cohort of healthy older men in South Australia.…”