The Effect of Selenium Supplementation on Lipid Profile and Glucose and Insulin Metabolism Indices in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder associated with metabolic complications, which affects about 5-10% of women of reproductive age. The present study was designed with the objective of investigating the effect of selenium supplementation on lipid profile and indices of glucose and insulin metabolism in women with PCOS.
This randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial, was conducted on 70 women with PCOS (age range, 18-40years)s. The participants were randomly divided into two groups (each 35 subjects), including the group that received selenium supplementation (200µg, daily) and the group that received placebo (100mg cellulose, daily) for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and after 8 weeks. Data was analyzed using the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) statistical test.
Selenium supplementation significantly decreased the serum insulin level (-29.83±47.29vs .07±77.12pmol/l, p=0.013), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (-1.15±1.81vs .42±3.09, p=0.011), homeostatic model assessment beta cell function (HOMA-B) (-19.06±30.95vs .55±47.99, p=0.017), and increased the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (.03±0.04 vs .0009±0.05, p=0.032) compared to the placebo group. In addition, serum triglyceride level (-0.14±0.55vs .11±0.30mmol/l, p=0.025) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) concentration (-0.03±0.11 vs .02±0.06 mmol/L, p=0.025) significantly decreased after the intervention.
The findings of this study revealed that daily intake of selenium supplement in women with PCOS may have beneficial effects on insulin metabolism indices, serum triglyceride level, and VLDL level