Selenium Supplementation of Patients With Cirrhosis

Selenium is an essential nutrient. Selenium carries out its biological functions through
selenoproteins. The liver converts dietary selenium to a form that can be used to make
selenoproteins. Patients with cirrhosis have much lower selenium levels than healthy
individuals. We hypothesize that patients with cirrhosis are unable to utilize dietary
selenium for selenoprotein synthesis. These patients may benefit from another form of
selenium: selenate.

We will compare the effects of two supplemental forms of selenium on plasma selenium levels
in patients with cirrhosis. Patients will be randomized to receive either a placebo, 200 µg
selenomethionine, 200 µg selenate or 400 µg selenate, daily, for 8 weeks. We will measure
selenium levels in the blood at baseline, week 4 and week 8. We will determine which forms
of selenium, if any, increased plasma selenium levels of the cirrhosis patients.