title: Selenium and zinc levels in surgical patients receiving total parenteral nutrition.
abstract: The zinc and selenium levels of 40 surgical patients were monitored pre- and post-TPN. The initial selenium level was low normal, and the initial zinc level was also low. Both selenium and zinc are potent antioxidants involved in cellular defense against free radicals. Surgical patients are at risk for selenium and zinc deficiencies secondary to both increased needs and losses. TPN blood work protocols should include monitoring of selenium and zinc with supplementation of the nutrient solutions, as required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, London Health Science Centre, Ontario.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Alfieri
authors.forename: F Y
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Grace
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000592:standards*; D011228:Prealbumin / Q000032:analysis; D012016:Reference Values; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000592:standards; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D011228:Prealbumin; D012643:Selenium; D015032:Zinc