T. Rannem et al., SELENIUM DEPLETION IN PATIENTS ON HOME PARENTERAL-NUTRITION - THE EFFECT OF SELENIUM SUPPLEMENTATION, Biological trace element research, 39(1), 1993, pp. 81-90
Severe selenium (Se) depletion was found in nine patients receiving lo
ng-term home parenteral nutrition because of short bowel syndrome. Pla
sma Se ranged from 0-0.51 (median 0.21 mumol/L), and erythrocyte Se ra
nged from 0.7-2.6 (median 1.8 mumol/gHgb), which was significantly low
er than in the controls. Glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) in plasma and
erythrocytes was also decreased. After bolus injections with 200 mug S
e/d in the form of sodium selenite for 4 mo, followed by 100 mug/d for
8 mo, plasma Se increased to values slightly but significantly higher
than in the controls. Erythrocyte Se reached normal levels in most of
the patients after 4 mo substitution, but it remained lower than in t
he controls. Following Se supplementation, plasma and erythrocyte GSHP
x did not differ between patients and controls. These data suggest tha
t all patients receiving long-term parenteral nutrition because of sho
rt bowel syndrome should receive at least 100 mug sodium selenite/d wh
en given as bolus injections to avoid Se depletion.