Study on the molecular aspect of cardioprotective effects of selenium: a mini-review.

Abstract

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient with multiple and complex effects on human health, including potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its most severe complications are the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide. Considering the fact that oxidative stress and inflammation are central to CVDs, this review focuses on different cardioprotective characteristics of Se with a special focus on molecular mechanisms. In this review, several databases, websites, and search engines, including Medline, PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, were searched using MeSH keywords of Se, Se compounds, CVD, oxidative stress, inflammation, coronary artery disease, and signaling pathway. The present study thoroughly explains the molecular pathways by which Se carries out its function to decrease cardiovascular and related diseases.