K. Winnefeld et al., SELENIUM IN SERUM AND WHOLE-BLOOD IN PATIENTS WITH SURGICAL INTERVENTIONS, Biological trace element research, 50(2), 1995, pp. 149-155
Selenium values of serum and whole blood were determined for two group
s of patients undergoing large surgical interventions (e.g., gastrecto
my) and receiving a total parenteral nutrition (TPN). All patients sho
wed low selenium values at the beginning of TPN. The first group recei
ved a supplementation of selenium, and it was established that seleniu
m levels normalized after 6-7 d. The balances of selenium turned out t
o be positive in all cases. The second group, which was not administer
ed selenium supplementation, showed significantly lower values of sele
nium. It can, therefore, be concluded that a substitution of selenium
prior to large surgical interventions following TPN clearly helps pati
ents combat the increase in the oxidant stress reactions.