When human colon and mesothelioma cancer cells are exposed to 100 nM selenite, the activity of glutathione peroxidase increases significantly, while catalase activity remains unchanged, indicating a specific effect on one selenium-dependent enzyme.

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Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

40

Community contributions welcome

40

Effects of variation in glutathione peroxidase activity on DNA damage and cell survival in human cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide and t-butyl hydroperoxide.

Cross-Sectional Study

Human & In Vitro

1990 Oct 1

Scientists gave cancer cells a tiny amount of selenium, and it made one important antioxidant enzyme (glutathione peroxidase) much stronger — just like the claim said — while leaving another enzyme (catalase) unchanged.

Contradicting (0)

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No contradicting evidence found

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Source Study

Effects of variation in glutathione peroxidase activity on DNA damage and cell survival in human cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide and t-butyl hydroperoxide.

Score: 40

DOI: 10.1042/BJ2710017

Similar Assertions

In laboratory-grown human cancer cells, adding a small amount of selenite boosts an enzyme that reduces DNA damage caused by hydrogen peroxide, but this does not help the cells survive the stress.

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83%

In laboratory-grown human cancer cells, adding a specific form of selenium reduces DNA damage from a chemical oxidant in one type of cell (mesothelioma) but not in another (colon cancer), showing that different cancer cells respond differently to the same treatment.

40

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82%

Selenium is a nutrient necessary for the body to produce glutathione, a molecule that helps lower levels of oxidative stress and inflammation in cells.

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77%