Selenium protects interneurons in the brain

A team led by Dr. Marcus Conrad, research group leader at the Institute of Developmental Genetics (IDG) at Helmholtz Zentrum München, showed for the first time why selenium is a limiting factor for mammals. The scientists have been investigating for years the processes of a novel type of cell death, known as ferroptosis. The enzyme GPX4, which normally contains selenium in the form of the amino acid selenocysteine, plays an important role.

In order to better understand the role of GPX4 in this death process, they established and studied mouse models in which the enzyme was modified.In one of these models, they observed that mice with a replacement of selenium to sulfur in GPX4 did not survive for longer than three weeks due to neurological complications.

In their search for the underlying reasons, the researchers identified a distinct subpopulation of specialized neurons in the brain, which were absent when selenium-containing GPX4 was lacking.
Furthermore, the scientists were able to show that ferroptosis is triggered by oxidative stress, which is known to occur for instance during high metabolic activity of cells and high neuronal activity.

 Selenium-containing GPX4 protects these specialized neurons from oxidative stress and from ferroptotic cell death. Selenoenzymes are essential in some organisms, including mammals, whereas they are dispensable in other organisms, such as fungi and higher plants.
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Symptoms of an aortic abdominal aneurysm

An aortic abdominal aneurysm (AAA) is a swelling (aneurysm) of the aorta – the main blood vessels that leads away from the heart, down through the abdomen to the rest of the body.

The abdominal aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body and is usually around 2cm wide. Most aneurysm are
small and don’t need treatment, the blood vessel can swell to over 5.5cm.

If it bursts it can cause significant internal bleeding, which is usually fatal.
Somach pain could be a symptoms of an aortic abdominal aneurysm which can be a major medical emergency.

Experts don’t know exactly what causes abdominal aortic aneurysm although it is linked to atherosclerosis and the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries.

To reduce the risk of the condition, people can give up smoking, control blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels and maintain a healthy weight.

However if an aneurysm becomes large it can cause pain, a pulsating feeling in your abdomen, or persistent back pain.

The condition affect more men than women and risk increases over the age of 65. People with a family history of the condition are also at greater risk.