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

Intake of dietary antioxidants is inversely associated with reduced markers of atherosclerosis development such as carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). This study was designed to assess the effects of selenium supplementation on CIMT and metabolic profiles of in diabetic hemodialysis (HD) patients. 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. 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