Abstract
Serum selenium and vitamin E levels have been measured in subjects with established alcoholic liver disease, in alcoholics within the community, and in appropriate controls. Both serum selenium and vitamin E levels were shown to be significantly depressed (P<0.01) in the alcoholic study groups and serum selenium was more markedly depressed in subjects with established liver disease (controls, serum selenium 108±13 μg/liter, vitamin E 27.6±7.2 μmol/liter; community alcoholics, serum selenium 94±19 μg/liter, vitamin E 15.3±3.4 μmol/liter; alcoholic liver disease, serum selenium 78±15 μg/liter, vitamin E 14.7±5.6 μmol/liter). Depressed serum selenium levels correlated closely with poor nutritional status (r=0.91). There were no changes in serum glutathione peroxidase activity. Liver disease activity, as judged by transaminase (AST), was more markedly abnormal in subjects with combined vitamin E and selenium deficiency compared to those with normal levels or isolated deficiencies (no deficiency, AST 48±19 units, combined deficiency, AST 75±21 units,P<0.03). Serum lipid peroxides were elevated in those with combined deficiency and the values correlated significantly with serum transaminases (r=0.40,P=0.03).
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Tanner, A.R., Bantock, I., Hinks, L. et al. Depressed selenium and vitamin E levels in an alcoholic population. Digest Dis Sci 31, 1307–1312 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01299808
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01299808