[The value of selenotherapy in patients with mucoviscidosis].

In a study involving 32 cystic fibrosis patients, selenium therapy was tested to address the antioxidative-oxidative imbalance caused by bronchial-pulmonal infections and enteral malabsorption of antioxidants like vitamin E and selenium. Patients received peroral sodium selenite at a dose of 155 micrograms per square meter of body surface area per day, which is four times the recommended supply. After three months, improvements were observed in metabolic, endocrine, and clinical parameters, including normalized plasma-selenium levels, enhanced thyroid hormone efficacy, and increased cardiac output. However, three patients experienced side effects such as anorexia, nausea, and mild hair loss. A reduced dose of 60 micrograms per square meter per day over one year maintained positive effects without side effects. The study recommended sodium selenite therapy, ideally combined with vitamin E, for CF patients.