Selenium Content in Blood of Donors from the North of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Abstract

Selenium is an element which participates in antioxidant enzymes. A medium and long term lack of such element is associated, mainly, with heart disease, joint and bone structure problems and thyroid activity. Selenium contents in blood reflect its ingestion and food content variation. It depends on soil characteristics, such as pH and selenium presence. There are few studies concerning selenium levels in food and blood in Brazil. Therefore, the objective of this research was to determine selenium content in a blood donor group in Rio de Janeiro state, conducted from December 2008 to March 2009. From the donated blood to Regional Blood Center of Campos dos Goytacazes, 4.0 mL were submitted to selenium analysis through atomic absorption spectrometry of hydride generation and organic matter oxidation wet basis with nitric and perchloric acid. Selenium content varied from 75 ± 16 ng·g -1 for females and 70 ± 21 ng·g -1 for males. There was no significant difference among selenium contents in blood from donors of different gender, age and residence. Seventy four percent of donors had selenium content in blood below 70 ng·mL -1 , the lowest level for maximum selenoproteins production, according to the Nutritional Prevention Cancer.