Selenium Concentration in Ocular Tissues and Fluids

Abstract

A simple, precise method for the analysis of selenium (Se) in ocular fluids and tissues using electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy is presented. Se concentrations ranged from 0.23 to 0.41 μg/g wet weight in the cornea, iris, lens, and retina. The Se concentration in aqueous humor was 0.008 μg/ml, thus much lower than that of plasma (0.21 μg/ml). The concentration of protein in aqueous humor is about 1.0% of plasma. Since in plasma, Se is entirely bound to proteins, it is likely that the difference in Se concentration between plasma and aqueous humor reflects the relative distribution of proteins between these fluids.

Relationship between glaucoma and selenium levels in plasma and aqueous humour

“…Moreover, recent studies have shown detrimental effects of selenium levels on human trabecular meshwork (TM) biology in culture 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12. Selenium is present in aqueous humour13 14 (and thus in direct contact with the TM cells), and it may adversely impact homeostatic measures of TM health in vivo, although this has not yet been shown.…”