Evaluation of Selenium Supplementation in Ischemic Stroke Outcome

Selenium is a trace element essential to human health, that protect against cellular damage by oxygen radicals through selenoproteins. Ischemic stroke is associated with the generation of oxygen free radicals resulting in a condition of oxidative stress. Supplementing stroke patients with antioxidant nutrients may improve survival. Materials and Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind ,placebo controlledstudy on consecutive ischemic stroke patients admitted in Buali sina Hospital, Sari, Iran, during 2015-2017. Inclusion criteria was accepted ischemic stroke by brain CT or MRI during last 72 with volume of at list one third of MCA territory. The patients were randomized into twotherapeutic groups, one receiving Vial selenium 2000 microgram stat and 1000 microgram daily for 5 days and the other 40 cc normal saline stat and 20 cc daily for 5 days. Primary outcome measures with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale(MRS). Secondary Outcome Measures with Barthel index 3 months after discharge. Results: 40 ischemic stroke patients (18 females, 22 males) with mean age of 68.2 ± 10 years were investigated. Differences in NIHSS and Barthel index were not significant between the two groups; but differences in mRS was significant in case group(p<0.00). Conclusion: Selenium can improve short term ischemic stroke outcome, but it not influences the long term outcome.