Improved erythrocyte survival with combined vitamin E and selenium therapy in children with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and mild chronic hemolysis.
To study the antioxidant effect of high-dose vitamin E alone and in combination with selenium in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency with mild chronic hemolysis, 36 male children with such manifestations were enrolled consecutively into two equal groups. Group 1 received 800 IU vitamin E daily, and group 2 received 800 IU vitamin E in combination with 25 micrograms selenium. Hematologic status before and 2 months after treatment was evaluated. After treatment there was a significant change toward normal in both groups. The mean red cell half-life increased in group 1 from 16.9 to 22.8 days (P less than 0.01), and in group 2 from 15.6 to 24.3 days (P less than 0.01). A comparison of the mean difference of paired values in the two groups revealed a more significant increase in hemoglobin (0.9 +/- 0.1 gm/dl vs 1.2 +/- 0.2 gm/dl, P less than 0.05), hematocrit (2.4% +/- 0.4% vs 3.8% +/- 0.3%, P less than 0.05), and red cell half-life (5.9 +/- 3.0 days vs 9.1 +/- 4.4 days, P less than 0.01), and more significant reduction in reticulocytes (-0.7% +/- 0.2% vs -1.5% +/- 0.4%, P less than 0.01) in group 2. Clinical assessment and follow-up indicated no side effects related to the drugs.
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004905:Erythrocyte Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D004906:Erythrocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005955:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006207:Half-Life; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012156:Reticulocytes; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D006454:Hemoglobins; D014810:Vitamin E; D012643:Selenium