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Effects of Selenium and/or N-Acetyl-Cysteine Supplementation on Nonthyroidal Illness Syndrome in Hemodialysis Patients: A Factorial Randomized Controlled Trial.

  • 2022
  • Pharmacology 107(9-10)
    • Elham Shahreki
    • Mahmoud Ali Kaykhaei
    • Zahra Mosallanezhad
    • Zahra Adineh
    • Ali Mohammad Mokhtari
    • Mahdi Mohammadi
    • Razieh Hosseini
    • Razieh Hosseini
    • Aliyeh Bazi

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
68 HPs (hemodialysis patients)
Methods
factorial randomized controlled trial, 4 groups: NAC 600 μg/day, Se 200 μg/day, both, or placebo for 12 weeks
Duration
12 weeks
Funding
Unclear

Introduction

Nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) is common in hemodialysis patients (HPs). However, limited clinical trials have been conducted in this field. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Se and/or N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) on NTIS parameters in HPs.

Methods

In this factorial randomized controlled trial, 68 HPs were divided into four groups: group A received placebo of Se and NAC, group B received 600 μg per day of NAC and placebo of Se, group C received 200 μg of Se per day and placebo of NAC and group D received 200 μg of selenium and 600 μg of NAC per day for 12 weeks. Blood samples were taken at baseline and after 12 weeks to assess free tri-iodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and reverse T3 (rT3) concentrations.

Results

Our finding demonstrated that rT3 levels were decreased in B, C, and D groups and increased nearly to baseline levels in the A group after 12 weeks, with a marked difference between the groups (p < 0.001) based on ANOVA. Although there were no significant differences in FT3 (p = 0.39), FT4 (p = 0.76), and TSH (p = 0.71) between the groups at the end of the trial.

Conclusion

This trial showed that Se and/or NAC exert beneficial effects on rT3 levels in HPs. However, long-term clinical trials with a larger sample size using more appropriate biomarkers are recommended to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Se and/or NAC in HPs.

Research Insights

  • Selenium→Increased Free Tri-iodothyronine Level

    Although there were no significant differences in FT3 (p = 0.39) ... between the groups at the end of the trial.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    200 μg per day
  • Selenium→Increased Serum Free Thyroxine Levels

    Although there were no significant differences in ... FT4 (p = 0.76) ... between the groups at the end of the trial.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    200 μg per day
  • Selenium→Increased Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Level

    Although there were no significant differences in ... TSH (p = 0.71) ... between the groups at the end of the trial.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    200 μg per day
  • Selenium→Reduced Reverse T3 Level

    rT3 levels were decreased in B, C, and D groups and increased nearly to baseline levels in the A group after 12 weeks, with a marked difference between the groups (p < 0.001) based on ANOVA.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    200 μg per day
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