Selenium distribution in tissues and monitor materials after long-term selenium supplementation investigated by neutron activation analysis

The effects of long-term selenium supplementation on the selenium body status were investigated in humans and rats. Selenium was determined in human muscle biopsies and monitor materials and in rat tissues by neutron activation analysis. The results showed that the body selenium load is raised by additional supply of selenomethionine or selenomethionine-containing yeast but not proportionally to the intake. The surplus selenium can serve as an endogenous source to maintain the selenoprotein levels during insufficient supply. Highly significant correlations between the muscle selenium concentrations and those in blood, blood fractions, hair and nails indicate that the selenium status can be assessed by analysis of these monitor materials.