title: Selenium supplementation in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: effects on pro-inflammatory cytokines levels.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) play an important role in the development of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) complications. We explored the effect of Selenium as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent on pro-inflammatory cytokines levels in HSCT candidates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were measured in 74 patients from a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. In both groups, there were 37 patients with median age of 32 years. Patients received oral Se tablets (200 mcg) or placebo twice daily beginning from the first day of high dose chemotherapy (HDC) through 14 days after HSCT. Cytokine levels were determined before starting HDC (prior to first dose of Se), 7 and 14 days after HSCT. Plasma levels of TNF-α were not significantly different between Se and control group (P = 0.13). IL-1 levels were similar between two groups (P = 0.88). No significant differences were detected in IL-6 levels between Se and control group (P = 0.96).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Selenium had no effect on pro-inflammatory cytokines levels in patients undergoing HSCT. It is likely that earlier initiation and/or larger doses of Se are required to affect inflammatory cytokines significantly.
authors.forename: Nesa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Daeian
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Enqelab SQ, 16 Azar AV, PO Box: 14155/6451, Tehran, Iran. radfarma@tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Mania
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Radfar
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jahangard-Rafsanjani
authors.forename: Molouk
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hadjibabaie
authors.forename: Ardeshir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghavamzadeh
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019172:Transplantation Conditioning
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D016207:Cytokines; D012643:Selenium