Plant biofortification with selenium in interaction with the application of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)-based formulate, with the goal of enhancing Se bioavailability, is beneficial for the development of the environmentally friendly production of functional food with a high content of this microelement. Research was carried out in order to assess the effects of an AMF-based formulate and a non-inoculated control in factorial combination with two selenium treatments with an organic (selenocystine) or inorganic form (sodium selenate) and a non-treated control on the yield, quality, antioxidant properties, and elemental composition of shallot (Allium cepa L. Aggregatum group). Selenocystine showed the best effect on the growth and yield of mycorrhized plants, whereas sodium selenate was the most effective on the non-inoculated plants. The soluble solids, total sugars, monosaccharides, titratable acidity, and proteins attained higher values upon AMF inoculation. Sodium selenate resulted in higher soluble solids, total sugars and monosaccharide content, and titratable acidity than the non-treated control, and it also resulted in higher monosaccharides when compared to selenocystine; the latter showed higher protein content than the control. Calcium, Na, S, and Cl bulb concentrations were higher in the plants inoculated with the beneficial microorganisms. Calcium and sodium concentrations were higher in the bulbs of plants treated with both the selenium forms than in the control. Selenocystine-treated plants showed enhanced accumulation of sulfur and chlorine compared to the untreated plants. The AMF inoculation increased the bulb selenium content by 530%, and the Se biofortification with selenocystine and sodium selenate increased this value by 36% and 21%, respectively, compared to control plants. The AMF-based formulate led to increases in ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity when compared to the non-inoculated control. The bulb ascorbic acid was increased by fortification with both selenium forms when compared to the non-treated control. The results of our investigation showed that both AMF and selenium application represent environmentally friendly strategies to enhance the overall yield and quality performances of shallot bulbs, as well as their selenium content.

Relevance. Osteoporosis is a systemic disease of the skeleton, which is characterized by a decrease in bone mass per unit volume and a violation of the microarchitectonics of bone tissue, which leads to an increase in bone fragility and an increased risk of fractures.Target. The problems of comorbidity of osteoporosis and polypharmacy in the treatment of this disease are considered.Materials and methods. On the basis of the Center for Osteoporosis of the Penza Institute for Postgraduate Medical Education, a branch of the Russian Medical Academy of Continuing Postgraduate Education of Russia, we conducted an open, prospective, randomized study of the comorbid status of age-related patients with osteoporosis in order to improve the diagnosis and pathogenetic therapy of the disease. More than 1400 women took part in the study.The results of a study of the comorbid status of age-related patients with osteoporosis are presented. The expediency of antiresorptive therapy in comorbid patients with osteoporosis is discussed.Conclusions. The characteristics of osteoprotectors of a new generation based on the bioactive component of gonadotropic action are given, and the prospects of these agents in the implementation of a personalized approach in the treatment of osteoporosis, taking into account comorbidity and polypharmacy, are evaluated. Particular attention is paid to the problem of osteosarcopenia and its solution with the help of these osteoprotectors.

The release of elemental selenium on the root surface of maize (Zea mays L., variety Krasnodarskii 29/AMV) seedlings observed in response to the addition of selenium-organic preparation DAFS-25 (diacetophenonyl selenide) to the nutrient Knop solution and accompanied by inhibition of growth of the roots was investigated. This process was completely suppressed after the addition of cysteine to the above solution containing 10^–2 g/L DAFS-25, with the inhibiting effect was attenuated as well. In addition, DAFS-25 exerted impact on nitrogen exchange in the plants as judged by elevating the protein fraction of albumins in the roots almost by a factor of two due to at the expense of decreasing the content of glutelin, prolamine, and globulin fractions by 43, 25, and 26%, respectively. In the case of the action of DAFS-25 in combination with cysteine the quantitative composition of the above proteins very closely resembled that of the control plants indicating that cysteine behaves as antidote. It was found that DAFS-25 exerted a similar action on the content of albumins in the above-ground part of maize seedlings where this value drastically increased (by a factor of 4.5) on the background of total protein content elevation. In addition, this preparation at the highest concentration tested stimulated the activity of peroxidase in both the roots (by 63%) and the above-ground part of seedlings (by 112%). However, this effect of DAFS-25 was strongly inhibited after addition of cysteine to the nutrient solution. Evaluation of selenium content in the same parts of the control seedlings showed that they contain only a little amount of this element. The highest content of selenium in the above plant tissues was found after addition of DAFS-25 to the nutrient solution that provides evidence for its decomposition directly on the surface of the roots. Such an action of DAFS-25, like its impact on the peroxidase activity, was markedly attenuated in the presence of cysteine.

The trace element selenium is known to manifest antitumor activity. There is a relationship between the development of cancer and selenium content in food. Recent data demonstrated the necessity of increasing selenium consumption for the prevention and treatment of oncological diseases. Certain features of cancer cells and potential targets of selenium therapy are discussed. Both natural forms of selenium, namely, element Se, sodium selenite, L-selenocystine, L-selenomethionine, and L-methylselenocysteine, and synthetic ones, methylseleninic acid and imidoselenocarbamate derivatives, which display antitumor activity due to the generation of methylselenol and hydrogen selenide, the main anticarcinogenic metabolites, are reviewed. New promising anticancer selenium compounds, diacetophenonyl selenide, 2-methylselanyl-1-phenylethanol, and amino acids 2-amino-3-selanyl butanoic acid and 2-amino-3-(methylselanyl) butanoic acid are discussed.

Серосодержащие и селенсодержащие аминокислоты – энантиомеры цистина и селеноцистина, вызывают все больший интерес как активные центры ферментов, антиоксиданты, исходные вещества для синтеза пептидов. В работе представлен удобный синтез энантиомеров цистина и селеноцистина. А также новых энантиомеров селеноцистина – 3,3¢-диметил-L-селеноцистина, 3,3¢-диметил-D-селеноцистина. В качестве исходных соединений использовали коммерчески доступные L и D изомеры аминокислот серина и треонина, а также их рацематические смеси. Прямой синтез серосодержащих и селенсодержащих аминокислот из гидроксилсодержащих аминокислот энергетически не выгоден, но возможен, через промежуточные галогенсодержащие аминокислоты – β-хлор-L-аланин, β-хлор-D-аланин, а также (αS, βR)-α-амино-β-хлормасляную и (αR, βS)-α-амино-β-хлормасляную кислоту. Синтез энантиомеров цистина проводили в растворе этанола путем восстановления элементной серы боргидридом натрия до Na₂S и добавлением серы до Na₂S₂, а также щелочного раствора β-хлораланина. Синтез энантиомеров селеноцистина и 3,3¢-диметилселеноцистина проводили в водном растворе, путем восстановления элементного селена боргидридом натрия до Na₂Se и добавлением селена до Na₂Se₂, а также щелочного раствора β-хлораланина или α-амино-β-хлормасляной кислоты. ЯМР спектры регистрировали на спектрометре Varian 400, с рабочими частотами 400 и 100 МГц соответственно. Аминокислоты растворяли в D₂O + 60 мкл 50% ортофосфорной кислоты. Элементный анализ проводился на приборе Vario El cube. Также L и D энантиомеры селеноцистина и 3,3¢-диметилселеноцистина служат удобными исходными веществами для синтеза метилированных производных – L и D – метилселеноцистеина и 2-амино-3-(метилселанил)бутановой кислоты. К достоинствам разработанного синтеза энантиомеров селенсодержащих аминокислот относятся доступность исходных веществ, доступность и низкая стоимость реагентов, низкая энергоемкость процесса, высокие выходы, возможность получения только определенного энантиомера селенсодержащих аминокислот, простота выделения (фильтрация), стабильность при хранении, несложное аппаратное оформление. Эти достоинства позволяют обосновать целесообразность и возможность промышленной реализации процесса.

General pathogenetic mechanisms of development of osteoarthrosis and osteoporosis are considered. The concept of Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor V. I. Strukov on the role of bone cavity formations in the occurrence and progression of osteoarthritis is presented. The interactions studied by osteoimmunology between the bone-articular, immune and endocrine systems are disclosed. The substantiation of a new approach to the treatment of combined pathology of osteoartosis and osteoporosis by immunotherapy.