title: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial evaluating the effects of vitamin E and selenium on arsenic-induced skin lesions in Bangladesh.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine whether supplementation of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), selenium (L-selenomethionine), or their combination improves arsenical skin lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 2 x 2 randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial among 121 men and women chronically exposed to arsenic in drinking water was conducted in rural Bangladesh. Participants were randomized to one of four treatment arms: vitamin E, selenium, vitamin E and selenium (combination), or placebo and were treated for 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, the average skin lesion scores were 2.23, 2.26, and 2.63 and at follow-up, the average skin lesion scores went down to 2.00, 2.06, and 2.47 in those receiving vitamin E, selenium, and the combination, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Supplementation with vitamin E and selenium, either alone or in combination, slightly improved skin lesion status, although the improvement was not statistically significant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Wendy J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Verret
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Alauddin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Tariqul
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.forename: Faruque
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Parvez
authors.forename: Muhammad G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Kibriya
authors.forename: Joseph H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Graziano
authors.forename: Habibul
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ahsan
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D020261:Arsenic Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000652:urine; D001459:Bangladesh; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008548:Melanosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D012643:Selenium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D014810:Vitamin E; D012643:Selenium