The interaction of selenium with various metals in vitro and in vivo.

The effects of many metal ions (Mn2+, Ag+, Cu+, Cu2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, As3+, Co2+, Bi3+, Ni2+, Sn2+, Sr2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Ba2+, Mg2+, Cr3+, Cr6+, Pt2+, Au3+, Tl+, and Pd2+) on behavior of selenium in biological systems were examined in vitro and in vivo. In the in vitro studies using four different reaction systems, Mn2+, Ag+, Cu+, Cu2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, As3+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cr6+, Pt2+, Au3+, Tl+ and Pd2+ affected the behavior of selenium. Body distribution of selenium in mice was significantly altered by the i.v. coadministration of Ag+, Cu+, Cu2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, As3+, Bi3+, Ni2+, Cr3+, Pt2+, Au3+ or Pd2+. In the present study it was proved that the behavior of selenium in biological systems were influenced by many metals in vitro and in vivo. This observation is important in contemplating the biological roles of selenium as an essential element or as modifying factor for the toxicity of metal compounds.