Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2012 Dec 20;8(6):1083-8.
doi: 10.5114/aoms.2012.32420. Epub 2012 Dec 19.

Role of selenium and zinc in the pathogenesis of food allergy in infants and young children

Barbara Kamer  1 , Wojciech Wąsowicz, Konrad Pyziak, Anna Kamer-Bartosińska, Jolanta Gromadzińska, Renata Pasowska
Affiliations

Role of selenium and zinc in the pathogenesis of food allergy in infants and young children

Barbara Kamer et al. Arch Med Sci. .

Abstract

Introduction: Selenium and zinc are indispensable microelements for normal functioning and development of the human body. They are cofactors of many enzymes of the antioxidative barrier (selenium - glutathione peroxidase; zinc - superoxide dismutase). The aim of the study was to evaluate the importance of selenium and zinc in the pathogenesis of food allergy in small children.

Material and methods: The study was performed in 134 children with food allergy, aged 1 to 36 months. The control group was composed of 36 children at the same age, without clinical symptoms of food intolerance. Each child had estimated serum levels of zinc and selenium. Furthermore, the authors evaluated activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in erythrocyte lysates and serum. Tests were performed twice, before and after 6-month administration of elimination diet.

Results: The obtained results showed that children with food allergy had significantly lower concentrations of selenium, zinc and examined enzymes in comparison to children from the control group. Concentration of selenium and zinc as well as activity of examined enzymes increased after application of eliminative diet.

Conclusions: In children with allergy decreased concentrations of selenium and zinc, and lower values of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase which increased after elimination diet were affirmed. These observations suggest their role in pathogenesis of food allergy. Conducted observations indicate the need to monitor trace elements content in the diet in children with food allergy. The results showed that children with food allergy had a weakened antioxidative barrier.

Keywords: food allergy; selenium; small children; zinc.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Analysis of deficiencies of examined enzymes before and after treatment
Figure 2
Figure 2
Correlation between concentrations of selenium (Se) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) of examined children
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Fälth-Magnusson K, Kjellman NIM. Allergy prevention by maternal elimination diet during late pregnancy – a 5 year follow up of randomized study. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1992;89:709–13. - PubMed
    1. Litov RE, Combs GFJ. Selenium in pediatrics nutrition. Pediatrics. 1991;87:339–51. - PubMed
    1. Lockitch J, Taylor GP, Wong LT, et al. Cardiomyopathy associated with nonendemic selenium deficiency in a Caucasian adolescent. Am J Clin Nutr. 1990;52:572–7. - PubMed
    1. Rogala B, Szczerbowski M, Żegleń S, Grzanka A. Selenium concertration in plasma and whole blood in asthmatic patients. Alergia Astma Immunologia. 2002;7:147–50.
    1. Zachara B, Czerwionka-Szaflarska M. Role of selenium in fetal period and in infancy. Post Hig Med Dośw. 1994;48:471–90. - PubMed