Papers of the Week

Se and selenoproteins play critical metabolic roles, as in glutathione peroxidase (antioxidant defense) and iodo-thyronine deiodinase 2 (thyroid hormone production). Other Se-dependent pathways can promote apoptosis and decrease oncogene expression. Se deficiency (SeD) is rare in the US, given its abundance in food and soil. SeD is linked to tobacco use, excessive ETOH consumption, birth control pills, and inflammatory bowel disease. SeD can increase the risk of prostate cancer and Burkitt's lymphoma. Severe SeD can cause skeletal muscle dysfunction and endemic cardiomyopathy (Keshan disease). We present herein a case of SeD 7 + years after heart transplantation, in whom prostate cancer and Burkitt's post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) developed.