Effect of vitamin E and selenium supplementation on oxidative stress status in pulmonary tuberculosis patients

Background and objective:   Increased production of reactive oxygen species secondary to phagocyte respiratory burst occurs in pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The present study evaluated the efficacy of vitamin E–selenium supplementation on oxidative stress in newly diagnosed patients treated for pulmonary TB.
Methods:   A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial including patients with newly diagnosed TB was conducted. The intervention group ( n  = 17) received vitamin E and selenium (vitamin E: 140 mg α-tocopherol and selenium: 200 μg) and the control group ( n  = 18) received placebo. Both groups received standard anti-TB treatment. Assessment of micronutrient levels, oxidative markers and total antioxidant capacity were carried out at baseline and 2 months after the intervention.
Results:   Malondialdehyde levels were significantly reduced in the intervention group ( P  = 0.01), while there was minimal reduction in the control group. The mean plasma level of total antioxidants was increased significantly ( P  = 0.001) in both the intervention and the control groups.
Conclusion:   A 2-month intervention with vitamin E and selenium supplementation reduces oxidative stress and enhances total antioxidant status in patients with pulmonary TB treated with standard chemotherapy.