Nutritional and physiological significance of selenium redox metabolic pathway

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23248036
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Fisheries chemistry
• Research Institution: Fisheries Research Agency
• Principal Investigator: YAMASHITA MIchiaki 独立行政法人水産総合研究センター, 中央水産研究所, グループ長 (80344323)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): YAMASHITA Yumiko 独立行政法人水産総合研究センター, 中央水産研究所, 主任研究員 (50371852) ; IMAMURA Shintaro 独立行政法人水産総合研究センター, 中央水産研究所, 主任研究員 (80510007) ; YABU Takeshi 日本大学, 生物資源科学部, 研究員 (00551756)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: セレン / 水銀 / 生体抗酸化 / 魚類 / 魚食 / 水産物 / イミダゾール化合物 / マグロ類

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Selenium is an essential micronutrient for humans, and seafood is one of the major selenium source in Japan. Recent studies showed that the tissues of tuna, other predatory fish, and whales contain high levels of selenoneine. Selenoneine contains an imidazole ring with a unique selenoketone group and has an antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo. The dietary intake of selenoneine through fish consumption is thought to be important for enhancing selenium redox functions in tissues and cells. In addition, selenoneine accelerated the excretion and demethylation of MeHg through the formation of secretory extracellular lysosomal vesicles via the specific organic cation/carnitine transporter-1 (OCTN1). Dietary intake of selenoneine might decrease the formation of hydroxyl and other radicals and accelerate the excretion of peroxides and heavy metals, and thereby inhibit carcinogenesis, lifestyle chronic diseases, and aging.

Free Research Field

水産化学