Skip to main content
Journal of Nephropathology logoLink to Journal of Nephropathology
. 2013 Apr 1;2(2):129–134. doi: 10.12860/JNP.2013.21

Protective effect of selenium on cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity: A double-blind controlled randomized clinical trial

Ali Ghorbani 1,*, Bita Omidvar 2, Abazar Parsi 3
PMCID: PMC3891148  PMID: 24475439

Abstract

Background: Renal injury is common following cisplatin infusion. Some agents have been used to attenuate cisplatin nephrotoxicity. However, except hydration, none of them has been proved to be effective.

Objective:In this study selenium as an antioxidant supplement was tested on cisplatin induced renal injury.

Patients and Methods: 122 cancerous patients (85 male and 37 female; age range of 14 to 82 years old) were enrolled to receive chemotherapy regimens consisting cisplatin. They were allocated into two groups using a random number list . Investigators, patients and analyzers all, were blinded in allocation by using sealed opaque envelopes. Intervention group received a single 400 mcg selenium tablet and patients in control group took a placebo tablet which was similar with selenium preparation in color, weight, shape and taste. Primary end points were an increase in plasma creatinine above 1.5 mg/dl in men and 1.4mg/dl in women, or increase of plasma creatinine more than 50% from baseline or urine flow rate less than 0.5 ml/kg/h. Creatinine level was measured initially and on the 5th day after cisplatin therapy.

Results: There was no difference in cumulative dose of cisplatin between the groups (p=0.54). There were not evidences of acute renal failure (ARF) in cases. While, among placebo group, 7 patients had criteria of acute kidney injury.

Conclusions :selenium could probably prevent cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury, when it is added to hydration therapy in cancerous patients.

Keywords: Nephropathy, Cisplatin, Selenium, Renal failure

1. Background

Renal involvement is common after cisplatin injection (up to 30%-50% of the cases) and is dose dependent. Renal involvement most often occurs in the second week of treatment (1-3). Renal damage has a wide spectrum of presentations such as hematuria, proteinuria, glucosuria, hypomagnesemia and most notably acute kidney injury (3).

Cisplatin is a potent toxin for cells. It enters into cells, gets hydrolyzed and then binds to DNA chain leading to cellular toxicity. Cisplatin accumulates largely in kidneys more than any other tissues and this explains the high susceptibility of kidneys to cisplatin. Renal microvasculature constriction immediately after cisplatin exposure in turn potentiates kidney injury. Many other mechanisms contribute in cisplatin nephrotoxicity including; an increase in inflammatory and activated oxygen and binding to glutathione in renal tubular cells (1-3).

Up to now, some methods have been applied to prevent or attenuate cisplatin nephrotoxicity including; saline infusion, osmotic diuresis, low dose and slow rate of cisplatin injection and co-administration of magnesium sulphate or hydroxide, amifostin, thiosulfate, N-acetyl cysteine, theophylline and glycine (4-12). Except for saline infusion, none of these methods has been proved to be effective (5,6,13). Selenium is an effective agent on glutathione peroxidases enzyme system that protects intracellular structures from oxidative stresses. Moreover, as being a moiety of thioreduxin reductase, it maintains antioxidant activity of vitamin C. As well, it supports vitamin E function for limitation of lipid oxidation (9-13).

HU YJ et al. performed a clinical trial on 41 patients. Forty one patients participated and received 400 mcg for 4 days before and after cisplatin infusion. They showed that, selenium prevented renal injury (14). In another clinical trial on 48 participants, Weijl et al. administered selenium, vitamin E and C versus placebo 1 week prior, till 3 weeks post cisplatin injection. They demonstrated that, there was not any difference in glomerular filtration rate between two groups (16).

2. Objectives

Few studies regarding the effects of selenium for prevention of cisplatin nephrotoxicity have been published (14-18). Therefore, we conducted this trial to evaluate the effects of selenium on cisplatin nephrotoxicity.

3. Patients and Methods

3.1. Patients

In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, 122 patients were enrolled (85 male and 37 female; age range of 14 to 82 years old). All adult cancerous patients candidate for chemotherapy, including cisplatin, entered the study. They all provided a written informed consent. Patients’ baseline characteristic data were obtained including age, sex, type of cancer, dose, type of other co- administering chemotherapeutic agents and also previous chemotherapy regimens, first day urea, creatinine and CBC. Participants were allocated into two groups using a random number list. Investigators, patients and analyzers all were blinded in allocation by using sealed opaque envelopes. Intervention group received a single 400 mcg selenium tablet and patients in control group took a placebo tablet the day before chemotherapy which was similar in color, weight, shape and taste. Mean dose of cisplatin was 203.72 mg in both groups. The data were collected by a physician unaware of investigation. Exclusion criteria were plasma creatinine level above 1.5 and 1.4 mg/dl in men and women, respectively. Taking nephrotoxic agents such as aminoglycosides and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs within previous two weeks, taking angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, presence of any infection, pancytopenia, hypotension and loss to follow up were the exclusion criteria. Primary end points were composed of increase in plasma creatinine above 1.5 mg/dl and 1.4 mg/dl in men and women, respectively or increase of plasma creatinine more than 50% from baseline or urine flow rate less than 0.5 ml/kg/h after cisplatin infusion. Initially, all patients’ demographic and medical information were recorded consisting; age, gender, occupation, medications, previous chemotherapy agents and their doses, frequency of chemotherapy courses, physical exam and laboratory data. A blood sample was obtained for blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, uric acid, FBS, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and CBC analysis. Patients were requested to empty their bladder at the time of chemotherapy initiation and measure their urine output during the next 6 hours by a scaled glass. Serum creatinine and BUN tests were repeated on the 5th day. All participants received either selenium 400 mcg or placebo the day before chemotherapy. It should be noted that all cases received 3 litres of saline and 40 mg intravenous furosemide during the first day.

3.2. Ethical issues

Ethical issues committee of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences approved this study.

3.3. Statistical analysis

To estimate sample size, we applied formula of comparing ratios in case of p1=0.15, p2=0, α=0.05 and β=0.20. We found p1 and p2 values in our pilot study on 40 patients. We used independent-t and Chi-square tests to compare changes between two groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS (version 17) software and statistical significance was inferred at a p value< 0.05.

4. Results

Eleven (8%) patients (out of 133), were lost to follow up, therefore, excluded from the study (6 cases from treatment and 5 from placebo groups). Therefore, we analyzed 122 participants’ data. Demographic characteristics are depicted in table 1. Distribution of frequency of cisplatin cumulative dose is summarized in table 2. Amongst neoplasms, gastric cancer was the most common (31% in selenium and 44.2% in placebo groups). Distribution of malignancies among patients is illustrated in table 3. There were not any differences in age, sex, presence of diabetes, hypertension, previous exposure to cisplatin and the number of chemotherapy courses between the two groups (p>0.5). There was no difference in terms of cumulative dose of cisplatin between the groups (p=0.54). Furthermore, comparing the mean single dose of cisplatin showed no difference (p=0.14).

Table 1 . Baseline characteristics of patients .

Selenium (N=61) Placebo (N=61)
Age 44.77 Y 46.37 Y
Sex Female 18 19
Male 43 42
Creatinine 0.80 mg/dL 0.83mg/dL
Diabetes 2 (3.2%) 1(2.6%)
Hypertension 4(6.5%) 4(6.5%)
Cumulative dose of Cisplatin/mg <50 7 (11.5%) 3 (4.9%)
51-100 21 (34.4%) 17 (27.9%)
101-200 13 (21.3%) 17 (27.9%)
201-300 12 (19.7%) 11 (18%)
>300 8 (13.1%) 13 (21.3%)

Table 2 . Distribution of frequency of cumulative dose of cisplatin .

Cumulative dose of cisplatin (mg/d) selenium placebo total
7 11.5% 3 4.9% 10 8.2%
50≤ 21 34.4% 17 27.9% 38 31.1%
51-100 13 21.3% 17 27.9% 30 24.6%
101-200 12 19.7% 11 18% 23 18.9%
201-300 8 13.1% 13 21.3% 21 17.2%
≥301 61 100% 61 100% 122 100%

Table 3 . Distribution of malignancies among patients .

Malignancy type Selenium Placebo
Gastric cancer 19 27
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma 6 3
Hodgkin disease 6 3
Nasopharynx adenocarcinoma 2 1
Metastatic liver cancer 4 4
Germ cell tumor 2 6
Carcinoid tumor 0 1
Breast cancer 3 2
Osteosarcoma 2 3
Ewing sarcoma 1 3
Esophageal cancer 0 1
Thymic cancer 3 1
Lung cancer 8 3
Mandibular SCC 2 1
Ovarian CA 2 1
Bladder CA 1 0
Thyroid CA 0 1

Acute kidney failure occurred in seven patients in control group (61 patients [11.5%]), while, none of the patients were involved in selenium group (p =0.013).

5. Discussion

Cisplatin is an effective agent in a large spectrum of malignancies. Tubular dysfunction presenting with acute renal failure partially limits its use. Appropriate hydration decreases the rate of nephrotoxicity down from 50% to 10%. Meanwhile, benefits of other protective agents or methods are questionable (19,20).

In this trial, we observed 7 cases of cisplatin nephrotoxicity in the control group and none in the selenium group (p=0.013). In concordance with our results, Hu YJ et al. observed similar results in 41 cases. They demonstrated that, urinary enzymes after chemotherapy were lower in those who received 400 µg of selenium for 4 days (14). They didn’t compare GFR or creatinine in their groups, however lower afore-mentioned enzymes indicated less renal tubular damage. In comparison, their study had smaller sample size. In another study in Japan, Fujieda et al. conducted a trial on 30 rats. Half of the rats received selenium, and to the other half of the rats, a selenium free diet was delivered. They found no pathologic damage on kidney biopsy in selenium group (15). This result was in agreement with our study.

6. Limitations of the study

We had a single measurement of creatinine on the 5th day of chemotherapy. Therefore, it seems that we might have lost some cases with later mild acute renal failure.

7. Conclusions

It seems that selenium could probably prevent or attenuate cisplatin-induced acute renal failure when it is added to massive hydration in cancerous patients without any additional side effect.

Authors’ contributions

AG, BO and AP designed the study. AP and BO wrote some parts of the paper. AG completed the final draft.

Conflict of interest

The authors declared no competing interests.

Funding/Support

This study was from the residency thesis of Dr. Abazar Parsi and supported by a grant from Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences (grant # U88342).

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Mehran Hosseinzade for helping design of the study.

Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:

Renal injury is common following cisplatin infusion. Selenium could probably prevent cisplatin-induced acute renal failure when it is added to hydration in cancerous patients.

Please cite this paper as: Ghorbani A, Omidvar B, Parsi A. Protective effect of selenium on cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity: A double-blind controlled randomized clinical trial. J Nephropathology. 2013; 2(2): 129-134. DOI: 10.5812/nephropathol.10656

References

  • 1.Rose B, Post T. Rose clinical physiology of acid-base and electrolyte disorder. 5th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill 2001; 251-9. [Google Scholar]
  • 2.Kim SW, Lee JU, Nah MY, Kang DG, Ahn KY, Lee HS. et al. Cisplatin decreases the abundance of aquaporin water channels in rat kidney. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2001;12(5):875–82. doi: 10.1681/ASN.V125875. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 3.Ciarimboli G, Ludwig T, Lang D, Pavenstädt H, Koepsell H, Piechota HJ. et al. Cisplatin nephrotoxicity is critically mediated via the human organic cation transporter 2. Am J Pathol. 2005;167(6):1477–84. doi: 10.1016/S0002-9440(10)61234-5. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 4.Portilla D, Li S, Nagothu KK, Megyesi J, Kaissling B, Schnackenberg L. et al. Metabolomic study of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Kidney Int. 2006;69(12):2194–204. doi: 10.1038/sj.ki.5000433. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 5.Wittes RE, Brescia F, Young CW, Magill GB, Golbey RB, Krakoff IH. Combination chemothereapy with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) and bleomycin in tumors of the head and neck. Oncology. 1975;32(5-6):202–7. doi: 10.1159/000225069. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 6.Cvitkovic E, Spaulding J, Bethune V, Martin J, Whitmore WF. Improvement of cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (NSC 119875): therapeutic index in an animal model. Cancer. 1977;39(4):1357–61. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197704)39:4<1357::aid-cncr2820390402>3.0.co;2-c. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 7.Capizzi RL. Amifostine reduces the incidence of cumulative nephrotoxicity from cisplatin: laboratory and clinical aspects. Semin Oncol. 1999;26(2):72–81. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 8.Ries F, Klastersky J. Nephrotoxicity induced by cancer chemotherapy with special emphasis on cisplatin toxicity. Am J Kidney Dis. 1986;8(5):368–79. doi: 10.1016/s0272-6386(86)80112-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 9.Howell SB, Pfeifle CL, Wung WE, Olshen RA, Lucas WE, Yon JL. et al. Intraperitoneal cisplatin with systemic thiosulfate protection. Ann Intern Med. 1982;97(6):845–51. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-97-6-845. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 10.Wu YJ, Muldoon LL, Neuwelt EA. The chemoprotective agent N-acetylcysteine blocks cisplatin-induced apoptosis through caspase signaling pathway. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2005;312(2):424–31. doi: 10.1124/jpet.104.075119. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 11.Benoehr P, Krueth P, Bokemeyer C, Grenz A, Osswald H, Hartmann JT. Nephroprotection by theophylline in patients with cisplatin chemotherapy: a randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2005;16(2):452–8. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2004030225. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 12.Heyman SN, Spokes K, Egorin MJ, Epstein FH. Glycine reduces early renal parenchymal uptake of cisplatin. Kidney Int. 1993;43(6):1226–8. doi: 10.1038/ki.1993.173. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 13.Stark JJ, Howel SB. Nephrotoxicity of cis-platinum (II) dichlorodiammine. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1978;23(4):461–6. doi: 10.1002/cpt1978234461. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 14.Hu YJ, Chen Y, Zhang YQ, Zhou MZ, Song XM, Zhang BZ. et al. The protective role of selenium on the toxicity of cisplatin-contained chemotherapy regimen in cancer patients. Biol Trace Elem Res. 1997;56(3):331–41. doi: 10.1007/BF02785304. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 15.Fujieda M, Naruse K, Hamauzu T, Miyazaki E, Hayashi Y, Enomoto R. et al. Effect of selenium on Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Nephron Exp Nephrol. 2006;104(3):e112–22. doi: 10.1159/000094550. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 16.Weijl NI, Elsendoorn TJ, Lentjes EG, Hopman GD, Wipkink-Bakker A, Zwinderman AH. et al. Supplementation with antioxidant micronutrients and chemotherapy-induced toxicity in cancer patients treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Eur J Cancer. 2004;40(11):1713–23. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2004.02.029. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 17.Francescato HD, Costa RS, Rodrigues Camargo SM, Zanetti MA, Lavrador MA, Bianchi MD. Effect of oral selenium administration on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Pharmacol Res. 2001;43(1):77–82. doi: 10.1006/phrs.2000.0754. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 18.Naziroglu M, Karaoglu A, Aksoy AO. Selenium and high dose vitamin E administration protects cisplatin-induced oxidative damage to renal, liver and lens tissues in rats. Toxicology. 2004;195(2-3):221–30. doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2003.10.012. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 19.Schuchter LM, Hensley ML, Meropol NJ, Winer EP. 2002 update of recommendations for the use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy protectants: clinical practice guidelines of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. J Clin Oncol. 2002;20(12):2895–903. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2002.04.178. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 20.Winston JA, Safirstein R. Reduced renal blood flow in early cisplatin-induced acute renal failure in the rat. Am J Physiol. 1985;249(4 Pt 2):F490–6. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.1985.249.4.F490. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Nephropathology are provided here courtesy of Society of Diabetic Nephropathy

RESOURCES