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Selenium API Manufacturers & Suppliers

General Description:

Selenium, identified by CAS number 7782-49-2, is a notable compound with significant therapeutic applications. Selenium is a trace metal in the human body particularly important as a component of glutathione peroxidase, an important enzyme in the prevention of cellular damage by free radicals and reactive oxygen species

Indications:

This drug is primarily indicated for: For the supplementation of total parenteral nutrition to prevent hyposelenemia . Its use in specific medical scenarios underscores its importance in the therapeutic landscape.

Metabolism:

Selenium undergoes metabolic processing primarily in: Selenium supplements are typically available in the form of sodium selenite which is metabolized to selenide through either glutathione conjugation and subsequent reduction by glutathione reductase enzymes or reduction by thioredoxin reductases . Selenide is further metabolized to selenocystein by cysteine synthases and to selenophosphate by selenophosphate synthases. Selenide is also metabolized progressively to methyl-selenol, dimethyl selenide, then trimethylselenonium. Selenocysteine is degraded to methyl-selenol, pyruvate and ammonia by cysteine beta lyase. Selenocystein reacts with oxygen to form selenocysteine selenoxide which spontaneously degrades to methylselenic acid, pyruvate and ammonia. Methylselenic acid can be converted to methylselenol via conjugation with thiol groups on proteins like glutathione. This metabolic pathway ensures efficient processing of the drug, helping to minimize potential toxicity and side effects.

Absorption:

The absorption characteristics of Selenium are crucial for its therapeutic efficacy: Oral bioavailability of 90% when given as L-selenomethionine . Tmax of 9.17h. The drug's ability to rapidly penetrate into cells ensures quick onset of action.

Half-life:

The half-life of Selenium is an important consideration for its dosing schedule: Half life was observed to increase with chronic dosing time . For day 1-2 half life was 1.7 days. For day 2-3 half life was 3 days. For day 3-14 half life was 11.1 days. This determines the duration of action and helps in formulating effective dosing regimens.

Route of Elimination:

The elimination of Selenium from the body primarily occurs through: Mainly excreted in urine as 1beta-methylseleno-N-acetyl-d-galactosamine and trimethylselenonium . The amount excreted as 1beta-methylseleno-N-acetyl-d-galactosamine plateaus at doses around 2microg after which the amount excreted as trimethylselenonium increases. Some selenium is also excreted in feces when given orally . Understanding this pathway is essential for assessing potential drug accumulation and toxicity risks.

Pharmacodynamics:

Selenium exerts its therapeutic effects through: Selenium is incorporated into many different selenoproteins which serve various functions throughout the body . The drug's ability to modulate various physiological processes underscores its efficacy in treating specific conditions.

Mechanism of Action:

Selenium functions by: Selenium is first metabolized to selenophosphate and selenocysteine. Selenium incorporation is genetically encoded through the RNA sequence UGA . This sequence is recognized by RNA ste loop structures called selenocysteine inserting sequences (SECIS). These structures require the binding of SECIS binding proteins (SBP-2) to recognize selenocystiene. The specialized tRNA is first bound to a serine residue which is then enzymatically processed to a selylcysteyl-tRNA by selenocystiene sythase using selenophosphate as a selenium donor. Other unidentified proteins are required as part of the binding of this tRNA to the ribosome. Selenoproteins appear to be necessary for life as mice with the specialized tRNA gene knocked out exhibited early embryonic lethality . The most important selenoproteins seem to be the glutathione peroxidases and thioredoxin reductases which are part of the body's defenses againts reactive oxygen species (ROS) . The importance of selenium in these anti-oxidant proteins has been implicated in the reduction of atherosclerosis by preventing the oxidation of low density lipoprotein . Selenium supplementation is also being investigated in the prevention of cancer and has been suggested to be beneficial to immune function . This mechanism highlights the drug's role in inhibiting or promoting specific biological pathways, contributing to its therapeutic effects.

Toxicity:

Classification:

Selenium belongs to the class of inorganic compounds known as homogeneous other non-metal compounds. These are inorganic non-metallic compounds in which the largest atom belongs to the class of 'other non-metals', classified under the direct parent group Homogeneous other non-metal compounds. This compound is a part of the Inorganic compounds, falling under the Homogeneous non-metal compounds superclass, and categorized within the Homogeneous other non-metal compounds class, specifically within the None subclass.

Categories:

Selenium is categorized under the following therapeutic classes: Alimentary Tract and Metabolism, Antioxidants, Biological Factors, Chalcogens, Compounds used in a research, industrial, or household setting, Diet, Food, and Nutrition, Drugs that are Mainly Renally Excreted, Elements, Food, Micronutrients, Mineral Supplements, Minerals, Physiological Phenomena, Polyvalent cation containing laxatives, antacids, oral supplements, Protective Agents, Selenium Compounds, Trace Elements. These classifications highlight the drug's diverse therapeutic applications and its importance in treating various conditions.

Experimental Properties:

Further physical and chemical characteristics of Selenium include:

• Water Solubility: Insoluble
• Melting Point: 217
• Boiling Point: 684.9
• logP: 5