Trace Elements in Medicine (Moscow)
2020, 21(4): 21-31
TOPICAL PAPERS

THE BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF SELENIUM AND ITS PLACE IN RNA VIRAL DISEASES

T.M. Guseynov, R.T. Guliyeva, F.R. Yakhyayeva

Institute of Biophysics, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, ZahidKhalilov 117, AZ1143, Baku, Azerbaijan

DOI: 10.19112/2413-6174-2020-21-4-21-31 

ABSTRACT. Selenium as an essential trace element takes part in the regulation of many vital processes. This is realized with the help of over 25 selenoproteins that affect oxidative stress, immune response, hormonal metabolism, cognitive function, etc. Recently (in the next 30 - 40 years), there have been reports of the effect on viral infections, which have now become widespread. It turned out that almost all RNA viruses are selenium-dependent objects, that is, their genome contains the codes of the most important selenium containing proteins, including such as glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxinreductase, selenium-P protein, etc. Their synthesis during the development of a viral infection at the expense of the host leads to a weakening of the synthesis of the body's own intracellular selenium proteins, which contributes to the development of oxidative stress and a failure of the immune response. And this leads to the devastation of the selenium depot of the body, intended for the synthesis of its selenium proteins, which participate in vital regulatory processes. This circumstance determines, to replenish the body's resources with selenium, the expediency of using selenium-containing pharmacopoeia preparations as adjuvant in the treatment of RNA viral infections.

KEYWORDS: RNA viruses, COVID-19, immune system, sodium selenite, selenoproteins, Ebselen.