Selenium prevents the growth stimulatory effects of cadmium on human prostatic epithelium.

Cadmium has been implicated in the increase in prostate cancer incidence in men exposed to high levels. A decrease in zinc and a concomitant increase in cadmium levels in the human prostate has been shown. The role and mechanism of cadmium action in prostate carcinogenesis is not clear. Selenium, on the other hand, has been shown to inhibit carcinogenesis in several animal systems. Results show that cadmium stimulates the growth of human prostatic epithelium in vitro, between 10(-9) M and 10(-7) M concentrations. Selenium, at concentrations between 10(-12) M and 10(-7) M shows no growth stimulatory or inhibitory effects on these cells. However, when present at 10(-8) M level, selenium inhibits the growth stimulation induced by cadmium. These results suggest that selenium may be useful in counteracting the effects of cadmium in the human prostate and offer possibilities for investigations on the protective effects of selenium in cadmium-related carcinogenesis in man.