Serum selenium levels in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

BACKGROUND: Selenium is a trace mineral which has the role of multiple biologic functions. In free-living animals and humans, selenium is mostly in the form of two selenium-containing amino acids as selenocysteine and selenomethionine. The present study aimed to obtain more data on the relationship between serum selenium in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum selenium levels were measured in 51 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) as patients group and in 40 non-hospitalized healthy individuals as control group. RESULTS: Selenium was recognized by atomic absorption spectrometer. Decreased mean serum selenium concentrations were observed in the group with chronic lymphocytic leukemia as compared to normal ones (P = 0.005). Serum selenium concentrations were examined in stages 0 and I. They observed a significant difference between the mean serum concentrations of selenium in stage 0, I and II and that of stage IV and V patients with CLL (P = 0.01). The groups were compared and significant differences were observed i.e., low serum selenium levels in the stage III and IV CLL (P = 0.001). The second selenium test was designed in 21 out of 48 patients within 10 weeks from the beginning of chemotherapy. Serum selenium concentration was tested again in 21 patients, and significant differences have been observed between the time before the treatment and after it (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that in patients with CLL the mean serum selenium levels are lower than that of normal.