Abstract

SA.17.05

Serum Selenoprotein P concentrations are decreased in patients with Graves’ disease (GD) and correlate inversely with the activity of Graves’ orbitopathy (GO).

Kristian Johnson1, Nora Dehina2, Waldemar Minich2, Thomas Behrends2, Nils Morgenthaler2, Josef Köhrle2, Anja Eckstein1, Lutz Schomburg2
1Abteilung für Erkrankungen des vorderen Augenabschnittes, Universitäts-Augenklinik Essen, Essen, 2Institut für Experimentelle Endokrinologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin

Objective
Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element. In mammals it is of prime importance for the functioning of the immune system. Recent studies have shown that Se supplementation may effectively reduce autoantibody load in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease. In the bloodstream, Se is present in three main fractions: small compounds and selenosugars, selenomethionine-containing proteins and selenocysteine-containing selenoproteins. The latter are known to mediate most biological functions of Se in mammalian organisms. Selenoprotein P (SEPP) is the most common circulating selenoprotein in mammals and facilitates Se transport through the bloodstream.
Methods
In order to characterize Se status in patients with Graves’ orbitopathy (GO), we determined SEPP concentration and correlated it with disease severity activity at the time of sample collection. Serum samples from age and sex matched control subjects (n=92) and GO patients (n=110, on average 4 control points per patient) were analyzed using a sandwich assay developed recently from the research group of the Charité.
Results
When compared to controls, GO patients displayed significantly lower serum concentrations of SEPP (2.1 ± 0.6 versus 3.0 ± 0.5 mg/L, p<0.0001). A weak inverse correlation was observed between disease activity (CAS score) and SEPP concentrations (r=-0.22, p = 0.02).
Conclusions
These data indicate that the Se status of GO patients might be of functional relevance concerning disease development and progression. We conclude that analysis of the Se status of GO-positive patients through SEPP determination might be a useful diagnostic parameter. Low SEPP concentrations identify those patients who might profit from adjuvant Se supplementation.

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