title: Selenium in the treatment of autoimmune thyroiditis.
abstract: We recently conducted a prospective, placebo-controlled clinical study, where we could demonstrate, that a substitution of 200 microg sodium selenite for three months in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis reduced thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) concentrations significantly. Forty-seven patients from the initially 70 patients agreed to participate in a follow-up cross-over study for further six months. One group (n = 13), which initially received selenium continued to take 200 microg sodium selenite (Se-Se), one group stopped taking selenium (Se-0) ( n = 9), another group which received placebo started to take 200 microg selenium (n = 14) (Plac-Se) and the last group was without selenium substitution (Plac-0) (n = 11). TPO-Ab concentrations were measured at beginning and the end of the study. In the Se-Se group, the TPO-Ab concentrations further significantly p = 0.004) decreased from 625 +/- 470 U/ml to 354 +/- 321 U/ml, in the Se-0 group the TPO-Ab concentrations increased significantly p = 0.017) from 450 +/- 335 to 708 +/- 313 U/ml. In the placebo group, the TPO-Ab concentrations in those patients who were followed without selenium substitution were unchanged (1351 +/- 940 vs. 1724 +/- 1112 U/ml, p = 0.555). In contrast, the patients who received 200 microg sodium selenite after placebo, the TPO-Ab concentrations decreased significantly (p = 0.029) from 1182 +/- 723 to 643 +/- 477 U/ml.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Medizinische Klinik Innenstadt, University of Munich, D-80336 Munich, Germany. rgartner@medinn.med.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gärtner
authors.forename: Barbara C H
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Gasnier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012643:Selenium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase; D012643:Selenium