Progressive encephalopathy in a Crohn's disease patient on long-term total parenteral nutrition: possible relationship to selenium deficiency.

The case of a patient with Crohn's disease complicated by progressive and irreversible encephalopathy, who had been on long-term total parenteral nutrition due to short bowel syndrome, is described. He initially experienced a disturbance of his vision, which was followed by various neurological symptoms during the next 3 years. These symptoms rapidly progressed until he finally developed consciousness disturbance. He also manifested erythrocytic macrocytosis, a low serum level of tri-iodothyronine and a high level of thyroxine. His blood levels of various trace minerals and vitamins were normal, except for selenium, which showed extremely low values. In addition, impaired plasma glutathione peroxidase activity was confirmed. After intravenous supplementation of selenium, macrocytosis, tri-iodothyronine and thyroxine values, and glutathione peroxidase activity all became normalized, yet he improved little neurologically. Our case suggests that long-term selenium deficiency may cause progressive and irreversible encephalopathy, and that careful monitoring of this mineral is necessary when an excessive period of total parenteral nutrition is being considered in the clinical setting.

Decremental reset in basal metabolism during 20-days bed rest.

Changes in basal metabolism during 20 days bed rest were measured in 9 young healthy males and 5 females. Food intake was unrestricted and supplementary meals were allowed. All food intake was monitored. A special sleeping pattern was not enforced, although an ordinary day-night diurnal rhythm was kept in the rooms. Body temperatures were measured daily every 2 hours from 7:00 to 22:00. Basal oxygen uptake decreased significantly during the first 10 days of bed rest and levelled off during the following 10 days. Body weight and composition remained substantially unchanged in spite of a decreased energy consumption during the bed rest. In conclusion, basal VO2 was reset at a decreased level during the first 10 days of bedrest with no relationship to the dietary energy intake or to the body temperature, while no more change took place during the following 10 days.