title: Selenium supplementation increases renal glomerular filtration rate.
abstract: Selenium (Se) is a trace element variously distributed in the human body and especially concentrated in certain organs, such as the renal cortex. We report results obtained during a ten weeks' oral Se supplementation. Experiments were devised to evaluate previous preliminary observations which suggested a possible effect of Se addition on the renal glomerular filtration rate. Eleven healthy volunteers have given increasing oral Se (as a sodium selenite solution) as follows: on the first week they have given 100 micrograms Se per day; this was progressively increased 100 micrograms per day for each of the following 6 weeks; the last dose (700 micrograms per day) was maintained for three further weeks. Serum and 24-hour urine were collected weekly for creatinine determination by kinetic Jaffé reaction and Se measurement by proton-induced X ray emission (PIXE). The final mean serum creatinine concentration was 13% lower than the initial mean value (p less than 0.01). Mean creatinine clearance increased significantly (p less than 0.05) and showed a direct correlation with mean Se clearance (r = 0.79; p less than 0.001). As the increase of creatinine clearance was concomitant with a reduction of serum creatinine levels, we excluded the possibility of toxic effects. Our results seem to suggest a positive influence of Se supplementation on the rate of glomerular filtration and we hypothesize that Se might be involved in the vascular regulatory mechanism of the kidney.
authors: Laboratorio di Chimica Clinica, C.O.C. Valeggio s/M., Italy.
authors: G C
authors: GC
authors: Guidi
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Bellisola
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Bonadonna
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Manzato
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Ruzzenente
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Schiavon
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Galassini
authors: Q X
authors: QX
authors: Liu
authors: H R
authors: HR
authors: Shao
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Moschini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D003404:Creatinine; D012643:Selenium