Effects of selenium supplementation on glucose homeostasis in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A randomized, controlled trial

Background: There is limited evidence about the anti-diabetic effects of selenium supplementation in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Objective: This study investigates the effects of selenium supplementation on glucose homeostasis in women with GDM. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 pregnant women with GDM were enrolled in this prospective randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial. They were randomly assigned to take either 100 mu g selenium supplements as tablet or a placebo daily for 12 wk since 24-28 wk of gestation. The primary outcomes were changes in the glucose homeostasis, including fasting plasma glucose, the 2-hr post prandial blood glucose, serum insulin level, glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb A1C), and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA_IR) at the initial period and 3 months after intervention. Results: The mean maternal age of the patients who took selenium supplements was 29.19 +/- 6.16 (range 18-41) years. In the placebo group, the mean maternal age was 31 +/- 4.43 (range 24-39) years. Compared with the placebo group, fasting plasma glucose, 2-hr post-prandial blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin(Hb A1C), serum insulin level, and homeostasis model of assessment-estimated insulin resistance(HOMA_IR) were not significantly changed in the selenium group at the end of study (p = 0.25, p = 0.87, p = 0.34, p = 0.57, and p = 0.31, respectively). Conclusion: The results of this trial suggest that supplementation with 100 mu g of selenium does not modulate glucose homeostasis in women with GDM.