Effects of Selenium in the MAPK Signaling Cascade

Introduction: This study aimed to discover by which mechanism selenium (Se) suppresses stimulated platelets stimulation in oxidative stress underlying diseases. Methods: Human platelets pretreated with Se and stimulated by Cu2+-oxidized low density of lipoprotein (OxLDL) or thrombin before assessment of P-selectin and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38MAPK), phosphorylated Jun N-terminal kinase (p– JNK), and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (p-ERK1/2). All variables were measured by solid phase sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Se significantly decreased Cu2+-OxLDL induced P-selectin expression, as well as p38 and JNK phosphorylation in platelets, but could not significantly reduce ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Conclusion: Se suppresses inflamed platelets. This effect maybe partly mediated by the p38 or c-JNK signaling pathways. These results create possibility of new co-anti-inflammatory insight for Se in atherosclerosis.