Selenium-deficiency as contributing factor to anemia and thrombocytopenia in dialysis patients.

Se is an essential component of glutathione peroxidase and thereby protects cells against peroxidation of their membrane lipids. Dialysis patients have significantly lower plasma Se levels than healthy controls. The obvious role of Se in protection against development of certain forms of cardiomyopathy was investigated for the case of blood cells. There is evidence that decreased half-lives of erythrocytes and thrombocytes, found in dialysis patients, correlate with degree of Se deficiency.