A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial evaluating the effects of vitamin E and selenium on arsenic-induced skin lesions in Bangladesh.
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.
Verret
Wendy J
WJ
Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA.
Chen
Yu
Y
Ahmed
Alauddin
A
Islam
Tariqul
T
Parvez
Faruque
F
Kibriya
Muhammad G
MG
Graziano
Joseph H
JH
Ahsan
Habibul
H
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
D014810:Vitamin E; D012643:Selenium