Effect of selenium supplementation on biochemical markers and outcome in critically ill patients

Summary Background & Aims This study aimed to assess the effect of high dose selenium (Se) supplementation on Se status in blood, oxidative stress, thyroid function and possible effects on requirement for renal replacement therapy (RRT) in severely septic patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods This prospective single-centre study was carried out in 40 septic ICU patients who were randomized to high dose Se (Se+ group, N =18 (474, 316,158 μg/day), each for 3 consecutive days followed by a standard dose of 31.6 μg/day of Se given as sodium selenite whereas the control group (Se−, N =22) received only the standard dose of Se. Plasma Se, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), F2 isoprostanes, thyroid function tests (total T4 and total T3), C-reactive protein (CRP) and red blood cell (RBC) GSH-Px were estimated on day 0, 3, 7, 14. Results In the Se+ group, plasma Se increased by day 3 and 7 ( P