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Selenium treatment in rheumatoid arthritis.
Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology
|January 1, 1985
Summary
Low selenium levels are common in rheumatoid arthritis. A 6-month study gave rheumatoid arthritis patients selenium supplements, but found no significant antirheumatic effect despite increased selenium levels.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
Background:
- Low selenium levels are observed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile chronic arthritis.
- Selenium is a component of glutathione peroxidase, an enzyme that metabolizes peroxides implicated in rheumatic disease pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential antirheumatic effects of selenium supplementation in patients with active RA.
Main Methods:
- A 6-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study.
- 40 patients with active RA received daily supplements of 256 micrograms of selenium via selenium-enriched yeast or a placebo.
Main Results:
- Serum and erythrocyte selenium concentrations significantly increased in the selenium group.
- No statistically significant antirheumatic effect was observed in the selenium-supplemented group compared to placebo.
Conclusions:
- Selenium supplementation did not demonstrate a significant antirheumatic effect in patients with active RA, despite achieving higher selenium levels.
- Further research may be needed to explore selenium's role in rheumatic diseases.