Effect of selenium supplementation on lipid profile in hemodialysis patients

One of the major causes of mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on hemodialysis is premature atherosclerosis. Selenium, a trace element involved in important enzymatic activities inside the body, has protective effects against lipid oxidation and inhibits cholesterol accumulation in blood vessels.

To determine the effect of selenium supplementation on lipid profile in hemodialysis patients.

In this double-blinded randomized clinical trial which lasted for 3 months, 84 hemodialysis patients with selenium deficiency were divided into experimental group (received selenium supplementation) or control group (received placebo). Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and selenium level were measured before and after the study.

Mean (±SD) serum LDL-C level significantly increased in experimental group from 85.66 (±31.12) to 109.12 (±32.29) mg/dl (P<0.001). Likewise, in control group serum LDL-C significantly increased from 80.55 (±21.13) to 97.05 (±28.07) mg/dl (P<0.001). However, with control of LDL-C effect before and after the study, it was revealed that LDL-C change was not statistically significant (P=0.21). Similarly, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels did not show significant changes before and after the study in any group.

Selenium supplementation had no beneficial effect on lipid profile in hemodialysis patients.