Descrição
Proceedings de 2 Conferências simultâneas: "International Conference on Natural Antioxidants and Lipid Peroxidation in Atherosclerosis and Cancer (ALPAC)" e "International Conference on Quality and Safety Aspects and Nutrition in Europe'95 (QSFNE), 22-25 Agosto 1995, Helsínquia, Finlândia. Selenium as a cofactor of glutathione peroxidase, which prevents lipid peroxidation in mammals, takes part in the direct protection of endothelial cells against reactive oxiygen species that have been implicated in atherogenesis; moreover, it is involved in the biosynthesis of arachidonic acid derivatives in platelets and in the regulation of lipoprotein cholesterol metabolism in human beings and in animal models. These aspects are relevant enough to conclude that low selenium status may be related to atherosclerosis and, consequently, to the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. Clinical studies showed a decrease in plasma selenium of patient’s wilh congestive cardiomyopathy and/or myocardial infarction. A significant inverse correlation between plasma selenium and severity of coronary atherosclerosis was also reported in man. However, prospective epldemiological studies on the relationship between selenium and cardiovascular disease are rather controversial. The aim of this work was to compare the selenium status by determining serum levels of this element in inhabitants of two urban and one rural Portuguese regions.The relationship between serum selenium levels and generally accepted cardiovascular risk factors was also an objetive. In this context, serurn selenium and serum lipid parameters (total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides) were evaluated. Age and sex as well as alcohol and tobacco consumption were also considered.
; Pavão, Maria Leonor 
