The biochemical role of selenium in animal orgamisms

: Data on the biochemical function of selenium in animal and human organism are generalized from the view point of its participation in the active centre of glutathione peroxidase and its general anabolic effect. Now it is assumed that many chronical human diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular insufficiency, atherosclerosis, pancreas insufficiency and other may be connected with selenium deficiency in human nutrition. A problem is considered on ecological and endogenous factors controlling the availability of selenium in animals. Among them the dominant role of neurohumoral regulation is emphasized and several problem, particularly in the direction of well grounded application of its low-toxic preparations to medicine, is stressed.