Selenium

Biological properties


Carcinogenic properties


Selenium administration has been shown to exert a generally suppressive effect on a variety of chemically induced tumors in rodent model systems. One possible mechanism is selenium affecting the activity of glutathione peroxidase, which is known to participate in the metabolism of oxygen radicals such as those generated by several organic carcinogens [6].


Toxicity


The toxicity of selenium to animals, when administered in the diet, appears to involve several organ systems [6].