Selenium, CAD, inflammation and endothelial function

Patients undergoing cardiac catheterization in Dunedin will be informed about the research project. Patients who enter the study will receive either selenium or placebo (dummy tablet) for 3 months. Because this study is "double blind", neither the researchers nor the patients will know who is taking selenium and who is taking placebo until the end of the study. Blood samples will be taken at the start of the study and at three months. We will be able to tell whether selenium improves markers of inflammation and endothelial function in patients with coronary disease by measuring and comparing these markers on the two successive samples for the two groups. This is important because inflammation and endothelial function are linked to progression of heart disease and because there is good evidence that selenium may help reduce inflammation