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Objective: We assessed the impact of selenium, a trace element with antioxidant properties on a simple measure of oxidative stress in pregnant women. Study design: A novel assay of prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) was applied in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of selenium supplementation in pregnancy. We measured the prooxidant burden and the antioxidant capacity simultaneously in one assay, thereby calculating a redox index. A total of 166 primigravid pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy, were randomized to receive 100 μg of selenium (n=83) or placebo (n=83) per day until delivery. PAB values and serum selenium concentrations were measured at baseline and at the end of study. Results: Pretreatment demographic data and biochemical indices including serum selenium concentrations did not differ significantly between the groups. The drop-out rates for the groups were 22/83 and 19/83 for the selenium and placebo groups, respectively. Supplementation with selenium was associated with a significant increase in mean serum selenium concentration (P<0.001) but without significant change in mean PAB value. In contrast, mean serum selenium concentration remained unchanged and mean PAB values increased significantly (P<0.05 in the control group). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that selenium supplementation may reduce oxidative stress associated with pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Postpartum depression is a common complication of childbirth, and its prevention is an important public-health issue because of its negative effects on mother, infant, and family. The present randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to examine the effect of prenatal selenium supplementation on the postpartum depression level in Iranian women., Design: A total of 166 primigravid pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy, were randomized to receive 100 μg of selenium (n = 83) or a placebo (n = 83) per day until delivery. The symptoms of postpartum depression were evaluated during the eight weeks following delivery by means of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Serum selenium concentrations were measured at baseline and at the end of study., Results: There was no significant difference in demographic characteristics and perceived social support between the selenium and control groups at baseline (p > 0.05). There were 22 drop-outs in the selenium-supplemented group and 19 in the placebo group. Forty-four women in the selenium group and 41 women in the placebo group completed the trial and the EPDS questionnaire. Selenium supplementation was associated with a significant increase in mean serum selenium concentration at term (p < 0.001) but remained unchanged in the control group. The mean EPDS score in the selenium group was significantly lower than that of the control group (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: These findings suggest that supplementation with selenium during pregnancy might be an effective approach for the prevention of postpartum depression.

Objective: Recent studies have reported that antioxidant status, including serum selenium concentrations, is altered in women who develop preeclampsia. We wished to examine the effects of selenium supplementation in the prevention of preeclampsia in high-risk pregnant women., Design: We carried out a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial. A total of 166 primigravid pregnant women, who were in the first trimester of pregnancy, were randomized to receive 100 microg of selenium (n = 83; dropouts, n = 22) or a placebo (n = 83; dropouts, n = 19) per day until delivery. The incidence of preeclampsia, serum selenium concentrations, lipid profile and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein status were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the study., Results: Supplementation with selenium was not associated with any reported major side effects and was associated with a significant increase in mean serum selenium concentrations at term (p < 0.001). In contrast, mean serum selenium concentrations remained unchanged in the control group (p = 0.63). The incidence of preeclampsia was lower in the selenium group (n = 0) than in the control group (n = 3), although this was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). After treatment, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were significantly increased in both groups compared with pretreatment levels (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: Our findings indicate that selenium supplementation in pregnant women may be associated with a lower frequency of preeclampsia., (Copyright 2010 Taiwan Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)