title: Selenium plasma levels in hemodialysis patients: comparison between North and Southeast of Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with chronic kidney disease present selenium (Se) plasma deficiency which is an essential trace element with important biological functions and, the best known biological role is attributed to its presence in the antioxidant enzyme, glutathione peroxidase (GPx). The Se content of foods depends on soil and some authors have suggested that Amazon soil (North Brazilian region) has high Se concentrations when compared to other regions of Brazil.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this work was to compare the Se status in hemodialysis (HD) patients from North and Southeast of Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-eight patients from Southeast region (22 men and 16 women, 15% diabetic, 53.5 ± 26.4 yrs) were compared to 40 patients from North region (28 men and 12 women, 22.5% diabetic, 63.5 ± 11.9 yrs). Se in plasma was determined through atomic absorption spectrophotometry with hydride generation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The plasma Se levels in patients from Southeast region were significantly lower (17.5 ± 11.9 μg/L) when compared to patients from the North (37.1 ± 15.8 μg/L) (p < 0.001). However, both patient groups presented low Se plasma levels when compared to recommended values (60- 120 μg/L). There was no correlation between plasma Se levels and analyzed parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We concluded that patients from North (Amazon) region present higher plasma Se levels when compared to the patients from Southeast of Brazil. However, independently of the region, HD patients presented Se deficiency.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
authors.forename: Milena Barcza
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Stockler-Pinto
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Malm
authors.affiliation: CDR Clinic.
authors.forename: Suellen Regina Geraldo
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Azevedo
authors.affiliation: RenalCor Clinic.
authors.forename: Najla Elias
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Farage
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
authors.forename: Paulo Renato
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Dorneles
authors.affiliation: University of São Paulo.
authors.forename: Silvia Maria Franciscato
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Cozzolino
authors.affiliation: Fluminense Federal University.
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mafra
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012643:Selenium / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D012643:Selenium