Optimization of selenoprotein P and other plasma selenium biomarkers for the assessment of the selenium nutritional requirement: a placebo-controlled, double-blind study of selenomethionine supplementation in selenium-deficient Chinese subjects.

Study answer

What this study found

Selenium supplementation increased plasma selenoprotein P and identified selenoprotein P as the best biomarker for selenium adequacy. Selenoprotein P was optimized by the 35-bcg Se/day dose, corresponding to a total daily selenium intake of about 49 bcg/d when dietary intake was estimated at 14 bcg/d. Glutathione peroxidase activity was optimized at the 21-bcg Se/day dose, or about 35 bcg/d total intake, while plasma selenium did not show a clear optimization pattern. No important adverse effects were detected.

Study & population

This was a placebo-controlled, double-blind, dose-ranging trial in healthy farmers aged 20-50 years from a selenium-deficient area of Mianning County, Sichuan Province, China.

Intervention

Healthy selenium-deficient adults were randomized to oral L-selenomethionine once daily for 40 weeks in seven dose groups: 0, 21, 35, 55, 79, 102, or 125 bcg Se/day.

Key limitation

The trial was conducted in a relatively small, single rural Chinese population with low baseline selenium intake, which limits generalizability.

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Original abstract