Comparison of selenium distribution in mice organs after the supplementation with inorganic and organic selenium compound selenosemicarbazide.

Studies on selenium organ content and its function in living organisms just like studies on other elements provide interesting results although their interpretation is not always clear. The aim of our study was to determine the concentration and distribution of selenium in several organs and tissues in mice after supplementation with our newly synthesized organic compound of selenium selenosemicarbazide (4-o-tolyl-selenosemicarbazide of o-chlorobenzoic acid) as compared to the effects of the supplementation with inorganic compounds. SWISS mice were fed with both types of compounds at the dose of 10(-3) g Se per kg for the period of 10 days.

Concentrations of branched amino acids: isoleucine, valine, leucine in serum of hemodialysis patients during one-year observation.

Malnutrition is commonly reported in haemodialysis patients (HD pts) and is multifactorial in origin. Previous studies indicated a possible relationship between plasma levels of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA): isoleucine, leucine, valine and nutritional status of HD pts. The BCAA have important influence on metabolism of energy in skeletal muscles, in addition the leucine makes easy the synthesis of protein.

[Some aspects of homocysteine metabolism in hemodialysis patients].

Homocysteine (Hcy) is a non-protein forming sulfur amino acid, synthesised from methionine (Met), whose metabolism is at the junction of two metabolic pathways: remethylation and transsulfuration. Increased Hcy serum concentration is a well established independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases and a known feature of end stage renal disease. Hcy plasma level is influenced by folate, vitamin B6 and genetic factors.