The effects of selenium administration on carotid intima-media thickness and metabolic status in diabetic hemodialysis patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

Intake of dietary antioxidants is inversely associated with reduced markers of atherosclerosis development such as carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT).

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to assess the effects of selenium supplementation on CIMT and metabolic profiles of in diabetic hemodialysis (HD) patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed on 60 diabetic HD patients. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive selenium supplements or placebo (starch). Individuals in the selenium group (n = 30) received 200 μg selenium per day in the placebo group (n = 30) received for 24 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at the study baseline and after 24 weeks of intervention.

RESULTS

Following the administration of selenium supplements, was observed a significant reduction in serum insulin levels (P = 0.003), insulin resistance (P = 0.003), total cholesterol (P = 0.008), LDL-cholesterol (P < 0.001) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (P < 0.001), and a significant increase in insulin sensitivity (P < 0.001), HDL-cholesterol (P < 0.001) and total glutathione (GSH) (P < 0.001) compared with the placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

Selenium supplementation in diabetic HD patients had beneficial effects on markers of insulin metabolism, total-, LDL-, HDL-cholesterol, CRP and GSH levels. This trial was registered at www.irct.ir as http://www.irct.ir: IRCT20170513033941N47.