Significance of selenium levels in non-small cell lung cancer patients: A comparative study

Selenium is an essential trace element with potent antioxidant activity. It is a natural health product widely used in the treatment and prevention of lung cancers. Aim of work: To assess the selenium levels in the epithelial lining fluid, broncho-alveolar lavage and in the serum of non small cell lung cancer patients in comparison with a healthy smoker group and a healthy non smoker group as the control group. Subjects and methods: Fifty candidates participated in this work. They were classified into; 20 patients with non small cell lung cancer, 15 healthy smoker subjects and 15 healthy non smoker subjects as the control group. Results: The serum level of selenium was highly significantly lower in non small cell lung cancer patients compared with healthy smokers and healthy non smoker individuals (48.5 ± 9.2, 72 ± 14 and 87 ± 11.3 respectively, P < 0.001). The BAL level of selenium was highly significantly lower in non small cell lung cancer patients compared with healthy smokers and healthy non smoker individuals (1.95 ± 0.42, 2.02 ± 0.3 and 2.69 ± 0.2 respectively, P < 0.001). Also, the mean concentration of selenium in the epithelial lining fluid was highly significantly lower in non small cell lung cancer patients compared with healthy smokers and healthy non smoker individuals (230 ± 16.4, 289 ± 11.2 and 375.06 ± 15 respectively, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Lower levels of selenium in the serum, BAL and ELF were associated with non small cell lung cancer and to a lesser extent with smokers compared with non smoker healthy individuals