(128g) Effects of Selenium on Human Glioblastoma Multiforme and Human Dermal Fibroblast Cell Lines

Selenium is a trace element that is naturally found in human diets. While it can be toxic, the health benefits associated with supplemental selenium for treating numerous illnesses has made it a topic of interest in recent years. Selenium has been found to function as an anticancer therapy that effectively inhibits carcinogenesis at multiple stages. The increased surface area exposure of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), relative to micron scale selenium, optimizes the likelihood of cell surface reactions. Combining this effect with the increased efficacy and reduced toxicity that nanotechnology offers, SeNPs could potentially serve as an optimal cancer treatment. SeNPs are also more likely to naturally diffuse across the cell membrane due to their smaller size. In the current study, the efficacy of SeNPs against glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a grade IV astrocytoma, was investigated. While the mechanism enabling selenoenzymes or selenium ions to inhibit cancer cell growth is not fully understood, these particles were employed to examine effects at certain concentrations on healthy tissue cells. After fabricating SeNPs, their size distribution, typically at or below 100nm, was confirmed using transmission electron microscopy. These particles were then used at varying concentrations in both Human dermal fibroblasts and GBM cell lines to reveal what concentration is most effective at treating the disease while not harming the healthy cells. We have treated cells over a three day period and examined the results via MTS assays. This project then aims uncover the genetic effects that selenium has on cell lines through Polymerase chain reaction testing.