HEALTH NEWS

Study Title:

High Dose Selenium in Sepsis Boosts Antioxidant Enzymes

Study Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis remain the leading cause of death in the critically ill. A reduction in the antioxidant capacity, including selenoenzymes that are dependent on selenium (Se), could be a contributing factor. Se supplementation in septic patients have yielded conflicting results. We hypothesized that a high-dose Se supplementation would (1) improve markers of inflammation, nutrition and antioxidant defence, and (2) decrease mortality.
METHODS:
This prospective, randomized, open-label, single-centre clinical trial included 150 patients with SIRS/sepsis and a SOFA score of >5. Patients in the Se+ group (n = 75) received Se for 14 days (1,000 μg on day 1,500 μg/day on days 2-14). Patients in both the control (Se-) group (n = 75) and the Se+ group received a standard Se dose (<75 μg/day). Plasma Se, whole-blood glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), albumin, prealbumin and cholesterol levels, along with APACHE II and SOFA scores, were determined at baseline and on days 1-7 and day 14. Mortality was assessed at day 28.
RESULTS:
Plasma Se and GPx activity were increased in the Se+ group from day 1 onwards. Negative correlations were demonstrated between plasma Se, CRP (P = 0.035), PCT (P = 0.022) and SOFA (P = 0.001) at admission but not on days 7 or 14. Prealbumin and cholesterol increased in the Se+ group versus the respective baselines. Mortality was similar between groups, with no gender differences.
CONCLUSION:
High-dose Se substitution in patients with SIRS/sepsis increased plasma Se and GPx levels, but did not reduce mortality. Markers of inflammation were reduced similarly in both groups.

Study Information

Valenta J, Brodska H, Drabek T, Hendl J, Kazda A.
High-dose selenium substitution in sepsis: a prospective randomized clinical trial.
Intensive Care Med.
2011 May
Department of Anaesthesiology, Resuscitation and Intensive Care, Charles University in Prague, Prague 2, Czech Republic