[Selenium administration in patients with sepsis syndrome. A prospective randomized study]

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Biochemistry
• Clinical Nutrition

Background:

• Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multiple organ failure (MOF) are associated with high mortality rates.
• Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of SIRS and MOF.
• Antioxidative therapies are being explored as potential treatments for these critical conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of antioxidative therapy using sodium selenite in patients with SIRS and MOF.
• To evaluate the impact of sodium selenite on the 28-day mortality rate in this patient population.

Main Methods:

• A prospective randomized study involving 40 patients diagnosed with SIRS and MOF.
• Patients were divided into two groups: one receiving 28-day treatment with sodium selenite, and a control group.
• Mortality rate within 28 days was the primary endpoint.
• Clinical parameters were assessed using the Apache-II score and the MOF-Score of Goris.

Main Results:

• Antioxidative therapy with sodium selenite demonstrated a significant reduction in the mortality rate.
• The fatality rate decreased from 40% in the control group to 15% in the group treated with sodium selenite.
• This represents a substantial improvement in survival for patients with SIRS and MOF.

Conclusions:

• Sodium selenite as an antioxidative therapy is effective in reducing mortality in patients with SIRS and MOF.
• This finding suggests that targeting oxidative stress with selenium supplementation could be a beneficial therapeutic strategy.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms and optimize the use of sodium selenite in critical care settings.