ABSTRACT
Selenium (Se) is important for optimal functioning of the immune system (EbertDumig et al., 1999; Kiremidjian-Schumacher and Roy, 1998; Kubena and McMurray, 1996; McKenzie et al., 1998). Several studies demonstrate Se deficiency to be associated with impaired immune responsiveness, and Se-supplementation results in increased immunocompetence (McKenzie et al., 1998). For example, Se supplementation significantly increased tumor cytotoxicity of macrophages and natural killer cells (Kubena and McMurray, 1996). Selenium deficiency has been associated with several pathological conditions, including cardiovascular diseases (Azoicai et al., 1997), rheumatoid arthritis (Knekt et al., 2000), AIDS (Hori et al., 1997), systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) (Kocyigit et al., 2004; Qujeq et al., 2003; Sakr et al., 2007), and most notably cancer (Combs, 1999; Ganther, 1999), for which oxidative stress and inflammation appear to be the common denominators. It has been proposed that Se, in the form of selenoproteins, mitigates inflammation in addition to preventing malignant transformation of cells (Ganther, 1999). In fact, an investigation of the causal relationship between Se in forage crops and county levels of cancer mortality in the United States and cancer mortality rates for the
14.1 Introduction .................................................................................................. 293 14.2 Overview of the Inflammatory Response .....................................................294 14.3 Resolution of Inflammation .......................................................................... 295 14.4 Macrophages in Inflammation and Anti-Inflammation ................................296 14.5 Macrophage Phenotypes ............................................................................... 298 14.6 Selenium and Its Role in Asthma and Helminth Infections ......................... 301 14.7 Conclusions ...................................................................................................302 Acknowledgments ..................................................................................................302 References ..............................................................................................................303
