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Selenium and vitamin E status of healthy and institutionalized elderly subjects: analysis of plasma, erythrocytes and platelets

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

Douglas Campbell
Affiliation:
Chemical Pathology and Human Metabolism, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton S09 4XY
Valda W. Bunker
Affiliation:
University Geriatric Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton S09 4XY
Anita J. Thomas
Affiliation:
University Geriatric Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton S09 4XY
Barbara E. Clayton
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton S09 4XY
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Abstract

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Levels of selenium in whole blood, plasma, erythrocytes and platelets, glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9; GSH-Px) activity in erythrocytes and platelets and vitamin E, low-density-lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and vitamin E: LDL cholesterol in plasma were measured in seventy-five healthy subjects aged < 65 years and twenty-eight healthy and twenty-three institutionalized elderly people aged > 65 years. Healthy elderly subjects had significantly lower levels of Se in whole blood and plasma when compared with younger subjects. Other measurements of Se status were not significantly different. In the healthy subjects plasma levels of vitamin E and LDL-cholesterol increased with age to 60 years and decreased above 80 years. Vitamin E: LDL cholesterol values were not affected by age. Measurements of Se and vitamin E status in the institutionalized elderly compared with the healthy elderly were all reduced with the exception of platelet Se levels and erythrocyte GSH-Px activity. Ageing per se had minimal effect on Se and vitamin E status but intercurrent illness and decreased food intake can lead to reduced levels in the elderly.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1989

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