In adults with mild Graves’ ophthalmopathy, taking selenium supplements for six months results in a measurable reduction in swelling of the caruncle and plical tissues compared to standard care alone.
Mechanism
Synthesis from 1 study
Selenium helps the body clean up harmful molecules in the eye area, which stops the tissues from getting inflamed. This reduces fluid buildup and swelling in the inner corner of the eye.
Most probable mechanism
Selenium enters the body and is used to make special proteins that clean up harmful molecules caused by stress in the eye area. These clean-up proteins lower the damage to tissues around the eye, which stops certain cells from becoming overactive and releasing chemicals that attract more immune cells. With fewer immune cells and less fluid buildup, the swelling in the inner corner of the eye goes down.
Oral selenium is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and incorporated into selenoproteins, including glutathione peroxidases and thioredoxin reductases, in systemic and orbital tissues
Increased selenoprotein activity reduces hydrogen peroxide and lipid hydroperoxides in orbital connective tissue, lowering oxidative stress
Reduced oxidative stress inhibits activation of orbital fibroblasts and suppresses NF-κB signaling, decreasing production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α
Lower cytokine levels reduce recruitment and activation of T cells and macrophages in orbital tissues
Decreased immune cell infiltration and reduced vascular permeability lead to diminished edema and tissue remodeling in the caruncle and plica
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
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