Effect of selenium on immune response against hepatitis B vaccine with accelerated method in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients

Background: Poor response to various vaccines especially hepatitis B is common. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of selenium on immune response against hepatitis B vaccine with accelerated method in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, 62 insulin dependent diabetic patients were divided into case and control groups (each of 31 cases). In the control group, hepatitis B vaccine 20 µg was done by intra-deltoid injection on a 0, 10, 21 day schedule with placebo, and in case group, 200 µg of selenium as a supplement was added once daily to same vaccine schedule from the first day to the 30th day of the month. After one month, serum sample was obtained and evaluated for anti-HBs using ELISA method. Data were collected and analyzed. Results: In the case group, 23 cases (74.2%) and in control group, 15 cases (48.4%) achieved protective level of anti-HBs irrespective to sex and age (p=0.037). The mean antibody levels were 233.75±163.45U/L and 144±69.29U/L in selenium and control groups, respectively. Conclusion: Our study showed that selenium could help to increase protective rate and level of anti-HBs by accelerated vaccination method. Adding selenium by routine HBV vaccination in diabetic patients is recommended for increasing the rate and level of anti-HBs in such group.