Effects of selenium supplementation on glucose homeostasis in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

There is limited evidence about the anti-diabetic effects of selenium supplementation in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the effects of selenium supplementation on glucose homeostasis in women with GDM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 60 pregnant women with GDM were enrolled in this prospective randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial. They were randomly assigned to take either 100µg selenium supplements as tablet or a placebo daily for 12 wk since 24-28 wk of gestation. The primary outcomes were changes in the glucose homeostasis, including fasting plasma glucose, the 2-hr post prandial blood glucose, serum insulin level, glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb A1C), and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA_IR) at the initial period and 3 months after intervention.

RESULTS

The mean maternal age of the patients who took selenium supplements was 29.19 6.16 (range 18-41) years. In the placebo group, the mean maternal age was 31 4.43 (range 24-39) years. Compared with the placebo group, fasting plasma glucose, 2-hr post-prandial blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin(Hb A1C), serum insulin level, and homeostasis model of assessment-estimated insulin resistance(HOMA_IR) were not significantly changed in the selenium group at the end of study (p = 0.25, p = 0.87, p = 0.34, p = 0.57, and p = 0.31, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The results of this trial suggest that supplementation with 100µg of selenium does not modulate glucose homeostasis in women with GDM.