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Title: Selenium metabolite levels in human urine after dosing selenium in different chemical forms

Journal Article · · Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

It has been well known that selenium in marine fish such as tuna and swordfish protects the toxicity of methylmercury in vivo. The protective potency might depend on the chemical forms of selenium in the meat of marine fish sebastes and sperm whale. Little has been revealed, however, on the chemical forms of selenium in the meat of these animals or the selenium metabolites in urine, because the amount of the element is very scarce. Urine is the major excretory route for selenium. The chemical forms of urinary selenium may reflect the metabolism of the element. We have developed methodology for analysis of selenium-containing components in human urine. Using this method, we have observed the time courses of excretory levels of urinary selenium components after a single dose of selenium as selenious acid, selenomethionine, trimethylselenonium ion or tuna meat. 14 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
35725
Journal Information:
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, Vol. 51, Issue 5; Other Information: PBD: Nov 1993
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English