Serum levels of Selenium and C-reactive protein in comatose patients with severe traumatic brain injury during the first week of hospitalization: case-control study

Introduction: mortality and morbidity related to traumatic brain injuries still remain high in patients. Many authors reported the importance of Selenium in maintaining the integrity of brain functions. This fact is supported by clinical evidence that therapy with selenium supplementation could help patients suffering from brain disorders like neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between Selenium concentration in serum and evolution of comatose patients with severe traumatic brain injury, in the first week of admission, and the correlation between selenium and C-reactive protein.Methods: this case-control study was conducted with 64 comatose patients with TBI, in the Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, IbnSina University Hospital and Hospital of specialties in Rabat-Morocco, and healthy volunteers recruited in Blood transfusion center of Rabat. Blood sampling was collected from TBI patients, in the first week (3h after admission and each 48h during one week), and from healthy volunteers one time. Concentration of Se in serum was determined by electrochemical atomic absorption spectrometry. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical software (SPSS) and the cases and controls were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. A P-value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results: comparison selenium concentration in the first day (D0), third day (D2) and fifth day according to the death and survival statue in patients did not show statistical significance (p > 0.05). Selenium concentration of D0 in patients and Selenium concentration in control group also did not show statistical significance (p > 0.05). Similarly, we did not report a correlation between selenium and C-reactive protein.Conclusion: according to our data selenium and CRP may not play a role in progression of coma state in patients with severe traumatic brain injury

Serum selenium status of HIV-infected children on care and treatment in Enugu, Nigeria

Objective. To compare the selenium status of HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected children. Methods. This was a hospital-based comparative study using a structured questionnaire in the quantitative research domain at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria. Seventy-four HIV-infected children were compared with 74 non-HIV-infected children (35 males and 39 females in each group). The outcome measure was the selenium status of the study participants. Results. The mean (standard deviation (SD)) weight-for-height z-score among the subjects was ­0.18 (1.53) compared with 0.05 (1.68) among the controls (p=0.457). The mean (SD) height-for-age z-score among the subjects was ­1.16 (1.44) compared with 0.06 (1.06) among the controls (p<0.001). Eighteen subjects (24.3%) compared with eight controls (11.4%) were selenium deficient (odds ratio 2.49; 95% confidence interval 1.00 - 6.18; p=0.044). Median CD4 counts of selenium-deficient and non-deficient subjects were 765.5 (range 409 - 1 489) and 694.0 (range 85 - 2 196) cells/µL, respectively (p=0.321). The proportions of selenium deficiency were 26.4% and 22.2% in the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and pre-HAART groups, respectively (p=0.565). Conclusion. There was a significant difference in the proportion of HIV-infected children who were selenium deficient compared with their uninfected counterparts

Copper and Selenium Status of Healthy Pregnant Women in Enugu; Southeastern Nigeria

Background: Copper and selenium are important trace elements in man. They function as antioxidants and play roles in oxido-reductase reactions. Several imported multivitamin preparations are given to our women during pregnancy and lactation to correct possible deficiencies. Objective: The aim of the study is to determine the serum level of these micronutrients (selenium and copper) in a cross section of pregnant women in Enugu; southeastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross section of 130 healthy pregnant women at different trimesters of pregnancy and 30 non-pregnant controls were selected from two health facilities in Enugu; southeastern Nigeria. Serum from the samples collected was assayed for copper and selenium using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: The mean copper level increased (P = 0.018); while the selenium level decreased (P 0.0001) as pregnancy advanced. Conclusion: High copper levels indicate that supplementation should not be undertaken during normal pregnancy. Dietary intake should be modified to ensure optimal selenium levels during pregnancy

Selenium plasmatique et cardiomyopathie dilatée à Cotonou (Bénin)

RÉSUMÉ â€¢ Objectifs. L'insuffisance cardiaque péripartum, fréquente en Afrique soudano-sahélienne, est liée à une cardiomyopathie dilatée (CMD) de cause inconnue appelée cardiomyopathie du péripartum (CMPP). Parmi les facteurs de risque identifiés, la carence alimentaire en sélénium est discutée. Le but de ce travail est d'évaluer le taux de sélénium plasmatique de patientes en insuffisance cardiaque par CMD, péripartum ou non, à Cotonou (République du Bénin)et de le comparer à celui de parturientes en bonne santé à statut obstétrical proche ou identique. Méthodologie. Afin de préciser le statut en sélénium à Cotonou les auteurs ont dosé le sélénium plasmatique chez 10 béninoises(âge moyen = 27,1 ans) atteintes de CMPP, chez 18 patients/es atteints/es de CMD (11 femmes,7 hommes, âge moyen = 38,9 ans) et chez 46 béninoises « témoins » en bonne santé ayant accouché récemment (âge moyen = 29,8 ans). Le test de Wilcoxon (non paramétrique) a été utilisé pour la comparaison statistique avec un seuil < 0,05. Résultat. Les valeurs de sélénémie sont très proches (94 ± 12 µg/L et 97 ± 19 µg/L), avec des différences non significatives, dans les 2 groupes de patients/es porteuses de CMPP ou de CMD.Aucune valeur n'est inférieure à 72 µg/L. Les valeurs sont par contre significativement plus basses(76 ± 13 µg/L, P = 0,0002) chez les 46 témoins, accouchées récentes en bonne santé, la valeur la plus basse étant à 57 µg/L. Conclusion. Les sélénémies des malades, porteuses de CMPP ou de CMD, sont plus élevées que celles des patientes du groupe témoins en bonne santé à Cotonou. Il n'existe aucune valeur très basse (< 40 µg/L), qu'il s'agisse des malades ou des témoins. Ces résultats, différents de ceux observés dans des études antérieures à Bamako (République du Mali) et surtout à Niamey (République du Niger), vont à l'encontre de l'hypothèse d'un déficit en sélénium à l'origine des CMD, péripartum ou non, à Cotonou