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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2010 Aug;123(8):765-8.
doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2010.02.018.

No effect of selenium supplementation on serum glucose levels in men with prostate cancer

Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

No effect of selenium supplementation on serum glucose levels in men with prostate cancer

Amit M Algotar et al. Am J Med. 2010 Aug.

Abstract

Background: Literature indicates a relationship between selenium supplementation and risk of diabetes. However, because these data are inconclusive, we investigated the effect of selenium supplementation on serum glucose levels in men with prostate cancer enrolled in a clinical trial testing of the effect of selenium on prostate cancer progression.

Methods: Subjects were randomized to receive placebo (n=46), selenium 200 microg/day (n=47), and selenium 800 microg/day (n=47). Serum glucose levels were obtained every 6 months for up to 5 years. Longitudinal analysis was carried out to assess whether rate of change of serum glucose levels was significantly different in the selenium-supplemented groups as compared with placebo. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of findings.

Results: Changes in serum glucose levels during the course of the trial were not statistically significantly different as compared with placebo for the selenium 200 microg/day (P=.56) or selenium 800 microg/day (P=.91) treatment groups.

Conclusion: These results do not support a relationship between selenium supplementation and changes in serum glucose levels. Recommendations about selenium supplementation and risk of diabetes will require more definitive studies.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: All authors declare that there are no competing interests to declare. No pharmaceutical industry funds were received for this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean serum selenium levels (upper panel) and glucose levels (lower panel) at each quarterly clinic visit for subjects receiving placebo (●), 200 µg/day selenium (■), or 800 µg/day selenium (▲) during the Watchful Waiting Trial. Table indicates number of subjects contributing data at selected clinic visits.

References

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