Abstract
OBJECTIVE The role of selenium in preventing cardiovascular diseases has been largely described. Oxidative stress and the subsequent activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) have been linked to the development of vascular complications. We investigated the effects of selenium supplementation in type 2 diabetic patients on several oxidative stress parameters and NF-kappaB activity. METHODS We enrolled 56 type 2 diabetic patients with similar glycaemic control: 21 were supplemented by selenium (960 micro g d(-1), 3 months) and 27 received a placebo, and 10 nondiabetic subjects formed the control group. To determine NF-kappaB activation, we used an electrophoretic mobility shift assay followed by a semi-quantitative determination of NF-kappaB in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RESULTS Selenium treatment resulted in a significant increase in plasma selenium and red-cell Se GSH px activity. It had no effect on lipid peroxidation measured by malone-dialdehyde (MDA) or on red-cell Cu/Zn SOD. NF-kappaB activity was increased by 80% in diabetic patients. In patients receiving selenium supplementation, selenium NF-kappaB activity was significantly reduced, reaching the same level as the nondiabetic control group. CONCLUSION In type 2 diabetic patients, activation of NF-kappaB measured in peripheral blood monocytes can be reduced by selenium supplementation, confirming its importance in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
