A trial of selenium and vitamin E in boys with muscular dystrophy.

The administration of selenium and vitamin E was tried in a group of 20 boys with muscular dystrophy. Muscular strength was measured at intervals of 6 months. The boys were treated for 1 year (selenium 6 micrograms/kg for 6 months and 20 micrograms/kg for 6 months), followed by 1 year of no treatment. The whole series was completed in 16 boys, nine of whom had classical Duchenne muscular dystrophy and the rest who had more benign variants. No boy showed any side effects. The decrease of muscle strength was slightly more rapid during the second year (no treatment) than during the first year (with treatment) of the trial. The difference was, however, slight and could conceivably be explained by the increase of age. No boy showed any practically usable increase of muscle strength during the year of treatment. The minimal muscle strength required for walking is presented.