Influence of selenium supplementation to renal allograft recipients on plasma glutathione peroxidase activity

Background: To investigate selenium (Se) concentrations in whole blood and plasma, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in red blood cells and plasma of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing renal transplantation, and to measure the effect of selenium (Se) supplementation on the parameters in those patients. Materials and methods: Thirty-two patients with ESRD, divided into two groups, were enrolled in the study. One group of patients was supplemented with 200 mug Se/day for three months, while the second received placebo. Blood samples were collected before surgery and after 3, 7, 14, 30 and 90 days post transplant. Se concentrations, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and concentrations of creatinine and plasma urea nitrogen were measured and the results were compared with healthy controls. Results: Se concentrations in whole blood and plasma and GSH-Px activity in plasma were significantly lower in ESRD patients as compared with healthy subjects. Se supplementation significantly increased whole blood and plasma Se levels. While red cell GSH-Px activity did not differ in ESRD patients and did not change during the entire period of the study, plasma GSH-Px increased very rapidly after surgery, and after 90 days reached the value of healthy subjects. In the Se-supplemented group, after 30 days plasma GSH-Px activity was significantly higher as compared with the placebo group. Conclusions: The findings show that after renal transplantation plasma GSH-Px activity increased very rapidly and after three months reached the value of the control group. Se Supplementation to those patients induced more evident synthesis of this enzyme.