Selenium Supplementation and the Effects on Reproductive Outcomes, Biomarkers of Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

Selenium supplementation could be effective on reproductive outcomes, biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidative stress among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The aim of the study was to determine the effects of selenium supplementation on reproductive outcomes, biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidative stress in PCOS patients. The present randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 64 women aged 18?40 years old with PCOS at the clinic affiliated to Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran. The participants were randomly assigned to 2 groups receiving either 200??g selenium daily (n=32) or placebo (n=32) for 8 weeks. Hormonal profiles, biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidative stress were measured and compared both before and after the treatment. After 8 weeks of intervention, pregnancy rate in the selenium group was higher than in the placebo group: 18.8 (6/32) vs. 3.1% (1/32), p=0.04. In addition, alopecia (40.6 vs. 9.4%, p=0.004) and acne (46.9 vs. 12.5 %, p=0.003) decreased following the consumption of selenium supplements compared with placebo. Additionally, patients who received selenium supplements had significantly decreased serum dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels (p=0.02), hirsutism (modified Ferriman?Gallwey scores) (p<0.001), serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (p=0.02), and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (p=0.01) compared with placebo. We did not observe any significant effects of taking selenium supplements on other hormonal profiles, nitric oxide (NO), and other biomarkers of oxidative stress. Taken together, selenium supplementation for 8 weeks among PCOS women had beneficial effects on reproductive outcomes, DHEA, hs-CRP, and MDA levels.

Changes of serum trace elements level in patients with alopecia areata: A meta‐analysis

“…Supplementation with selenium seems to strengthen cellular immunity by the following mechanisms: (i) it upregulates the expression of the T‐cell high‐affinity interleukin‐2 receptor and provides a vehicle for enhanced T‐cell responses; and (ii) it prevents oxidative stress‐induced damage to immune cells . The result of our meta‐analysis is in keeping with the studies suggesting that zinc or selenium supplementation could become an adjuvant therapy for the AA patients. Recent studies found that combination therapy with immunomodulators may be administrated to facilitate enhanced zinc‐targeted action, as immunomodulatory therapy may promote tissue zinc redistribution by decreasing the perifollicular CD8 + T‐cell infiltrate .…”

Selenium Supplementation Affects Insulin Resistance and Serum hs-CRP in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Coronary Heart Disease

“…The present study has demonstrated that selenium supplementation in patients with T2DM and CHD resulted in a significant decrease in serum hs-CRP, but did not affect plasma NO concentrations compared with the placebo. In line with our findings, supplementation with daily one selenplus capsule containing 50 μg selenium, 8 mg zinc, 400 μg vitamin A, 125 mg vitamin C, and 40 mg vitamin E among rheumatoid arthritis patients [40] and 200 μg selenium among PCOS women [41] resulted in a significant decrease in hs-CRP concentrations among rheumatoid arthritis patients for 12 weeks. Similar relationships between plasma selenium and CRP concentration have also been reported previously in septic patients [42].…”

The Effects of Selenium Supplementation on Glucose Metabolism and Lipid Profiles Among Patients with Metabolic Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…MetS is associated with increased risk of CVD, T2DM, and allcause mortality [2]. In addition, subjects with PCOS and/or diabetes are susceptible to metabolic disorders [18,23,25,26]. Our meta-analysis of RCTs supported that selenium supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in insulin, and a significant increase in QUICKI, but unchanged FPG and HOMA-IR.…”