Development and testing of the patented compounds, which have been studied so far only in animals, are reported in the November issue of The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. We look at this as a paradigm for understanding selenium's chemistry and biochemistry and using that knowledge to incorporate selenium into rationally designed molecules that could have therapeutic potential for many different applications. Using rational design techniques, the research team developed a series of derivatives based on their original selenium-based antihypertensive compound. The derivatives were designed to minimize absorption into the central nervous system and to resist damage from enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract.
Selenium is an antioxidant involved in many important enzyme processes.
Georgia Tech researchers developed the family of selenium compounds and recognized their antihypertensive potential in the mid-1980s. But concerns about the potential toxicity of selenium and the availability of other blood pressure medications halted further development until recent reports highlighting selenium's potential importance prompted renewed interest. We don't believe these compounds have a unique mechanism of action. What is exciting is that their biochemical activity depends on selenium. To develop a better understanding of the compounds' potential value, May's research group collaborated with Dr. Stanley Pollock, a professor in the school of pharmacy at Mercer University.