Scientists tested a new type of selenium supplement on silkworms to see if it could help them survive in hot conditions. Selenium is an important nutrient that helps protect cells from damage. When silkworms were given this new supplement and then exposed to high temperatures, they survived better than silkworms without the supplement. The supplement also changed the levels of certain amino acids (building blocks of protein) in the silkworms’ bodies. This research suggests the new supplement could be a safe and effective way to add selenium to animal feed, though more studies in other animals are needed before we know if it would work the same way in humans.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a new selenium compound (3-SeU-Ind) could help silkworms survive extreme heat and improve their body’s protective systems
  • Who participated: Silkworms (Bombyx mori) at different life stages, fed either natural mulberry leaves or artificial diet, with and without the selenium supplement at various doses
  • Key finding: Silkworms given the selenium supplement at medium and high doses survived significantly better when exposed to high temperatures, and their bodies produced more protective proteins to fight stress damage
  • What it means for you: This research suggests selenium supplements in this new form may help animals (and potentially people) better handle heat stress, but this is early-stage research in insects and much more testing would be needed before using it in human nutrition

The Research Details

Researchers fed silkworms a new selenium supplement called 3-selenoureidoindole at different dose levels (4 to 400 mg/L) mixed into either natural mulberry leaves or artificial diet. They then measured how well the silkworms grew and how much selenium built up in their bodies. In a separate test, they exposed the silkworms to high temperatures to see if the supplement helped them survive better. They also examined the silkworms’ blood-like fluid (called hemolymph) to see what chemicals changed, and they looked at which genes became more active in response to the heat stress.

The researchers chose silkworms as a model organism because they’re well-studied in science and their biology is simpler than mammals, making it easier to see how the supplement works. This type of research helps scientists understand how new nutrients might function before testing them in more complex animals or humans.

The study tested different dose levels to find the safest and most effective amount, and they looked at both males and females separately because the supplement affected them differently.

Using silkworms as a test model allows scientists to quickly and ethically study how new supplements work before considering human applications. This research is important because it tests a completely new form of selenium that hasn’t been studied much before. Understanding how this compound affects stress resistance and protein building could lead to better supplements for animals raised for food or fiber, and eventually inform human nutrition research.

This is a controlled laboratory study where researchers could carefully manage all conditions and measure specific outcomes. The use of multiple dose levels and both natural and artificial diets shows thorough testing. However, because this is insect research, results may not directly apply to humans or even larger animals. The study appears to be preliminary research meant to establish that the compound is safe and worth studying further, rather than definitive proof of benefits.

What the Results Show

When silkworms were fed the selenium supplement and then exposed to high heat, those receiving medium (100 mg/L) and high (400 mg/L) doses survived significantly better than control silkworms without the supplement. This improved survival was linked to increased activity of four protective genes (MnSOD, CAT, GPX, and TrxR) that help cells defend themselves against damage from heat and stress.

The selenium compound was successfully absorbed and stored in the silkworms’ tissues and bodies, showing that it can be taken up from food and used by the organism. This is important because it means the supplement doesn’t just pass through the body unused.

Interestingly, the supplement changed the levels of two important amino acids (methionine and lysine) in the silkworms’ blood-like fluid, and these changes were different in males versus females. This suggests the supplement affects how the body builds and uses proteins, and that males and females may respond differently to the same dose.

When silkworms were raised on natural mulberry leaves with the supplement, their growth (larval and pupal weight, cocoon production) was not affected at any dose tested. However, when fed an artificial diet with the highest dose (400 mg/L), both larval and pupal weights decreased. This suggests the supplement works differently depending on the type of food and the dose level, and that very high doses might interfere with normal growth when combined with artificial diets.

This research builds on existing knowledge that organic selenium compounds (selenium attached to carbon-based molecules) are safer and more useful to the body than inorganic selenium salts. Previous studies showed selenium helps protect cells from heat damage, and this research confirms that principle with a new compound. The finding that the supplement enhances survival under heat stress aligns with what scientists know about selenium’s role in making protective proteins, but the specific compound tested here appears to be novel and hadn’t been studied in silkworms before.

This study was conducted only in silkworms, which are insects with very different biology from humans and even other animals. Results in insects don’t automatically translate to larger animals or people. The study didn’t specify exactly how many silkworms were tested, making it harder to judge how reliable the results are. The artificial diet that caused weight loss at high doses is different from natural food, so it’s unclear how the supplement would work in real-world feeding situations. The research is preliminary and designed to show the supplement is safe and worth studying further, not to prove it’s beneficial for practical use.

The Bottom Line

Based on this early research, the 3-selenoureidoindole supplement appears to be safe at the doses tested and may help organisms survive heat stress by boosting their natural protective systems. However, confidence in these findings is moderate because the research is limited to insects. The recommendation would be: this compound is worth further study in other animals and potentially in humans, but it’s too early to use it in supplements or food fortification. More research is needed to understand the best dose, whether it works in mammals, and whether benefits outweigh any risks.

This research is most relevant to: (1) scientists studying selenium nutrition and heat stress, (2) companies developing animal feed supplements, (3) researchers interested in new forms of selenium, and (4) people interested in how organisms adapt to heat stress. It is NOT yet relevant to people looking for personal health supplements, as this is basic research in insects, not human studies. Anyone considering selenium supplements should consult their doctor, as this research doesn’t provide guidance for human use.

In this study, the protective effects appeared relatively quickly when silkworms were exposed to high heat, suggesting the supplement’s protective genes activated within hours or days. If similar compounds were eventually tested in humans, benefits would likely take weeks to months to appear, as human biology works more slowly than insect biology. Any practical applications in human nutrition would be years away, requiring multiple additional studies.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If this research eventually leads to human supplements, users could track: (1) daily selenium intake in micrograms, (2) heat exposure or environmental temperature, and (3) stress levels or recovery time after heat exposure. This would help identify personal patterns in how selenium supplementation affects heat tolerance.
  • Once human research validates this compound, users could: (1) take the supplement consistently at the same time daily, (2) note any changes in how they feel during hot weather or exercise, (3) track energy levels and recovery, and (4) monitor for any side effects. The app could send reminders for consistent dosing and prompt weekly check-ins on heat tolerance and wellbeing.
  • Long-term tracking would involve: (1) monthly reviews of selenium intake consistency, (2) seasonal comparisons of heat tolerance (summer vs. winter), (3) correlation analysis between supplement use and stress recovery, and (4) periodic blood work (if recommended by a doctor) to verify selenium levels are in the healthy range. The app could generate quarterly reports showing trends in these measures.

This research was conducted in silkworms (insects) and does not directly apply to human health or nutrition. The 3-selenoureidoindole compound tested here is not currently available as a human supplement and has not been studied in people. Selenium is an essential nutrient, but too much selenium can be toxic. Anyone considering selenium supplements should consult with their healthcare provider before starting, especially if they have existing health conditions or take medications. This article is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease. Always seek professional medical advice for health-related decisions.