Article

Protection during radiotherapy: selenium

Department of Nuclear Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 510289 Guangzhou, People's Republic of China

^* Corresponding author: lidan269@mail.sysu.edu.cn

Received: 16 May 2024
Accepted: 2 August 2024

Abstract

The multifaceted applications of nuclear technology, especially in cancer treatment through radiotherapy, bring considerable benefits to our daily lives but also necessitate the imperative for effective strategies to effectively mitigate radiation-induced issues. While strict compliance with usage specifications is essential, ensuring proper protection against radiation-induced damages is crucial. Selenium, in its various forms including selenomethionine, Ebselen, and sodium selenite, emerges as a promising radioprotective agent with demonstrated efficacy across diverse radiation-injured organs, highlighting its significance as an effective and potent antioxidant that affordable for most patients. Abundant experiments have exhibited the capacity of selenium-containing compounds and metabolites to function as valuable radioprotective adjuvants, emphasizing their potential in safeguarding against the adverse effects of radiation exposure. To harness the full radioprotective potential of selenium, further research is needed to optimize selenium supplementation strategies, taking into account factors such as timing and dosage, particularly in the context of radiotherapy.