Pakistan Journal of Clinical Research · Feb 28, 2026
Efficacy of Selenium-Enriched Tuna Nuggets on Cardiometabolic Subfractions and Inflammation in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
By Imran Z, Ayub M, Mumtaz A et al.
Background: Ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) progression is closely linked to chronic systemic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation. Bioactive functional foods provide a practical strategy to alter these underlying cardiometabolic risk factors. Ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) progression is closely linked to chronic systemic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation. Bioactive functional foods provide a practical strategy to alter these underlying cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods: A 13-week randomized controlled trial was conducted in Mufti Mehmood Memorial Teaching Hospital, Pakistan, enrolling 124 stable ICM patients. Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either an intervention group receiving daily selenium-enriched tuna nuggets (30.6% protein, 1.8% fat; n = 62) or a control group receiving standard dietary care (n = 62). Anthropometric parameters, fasting plasma glucose, serum lipids, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured at baseline and post-intervention. Mediation analysis quantified nutrient-specific contributions. Results: At week 13, the intervention group demonstrated significant reductions in body weight, BMI, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides compared with controls. HDL-C increased significantly, while hs-CRP decreased, indicating reduced systemic inflammation. Mediation analysis showed that the nugget’s multi-nutrient matrix accounted for 24–53% of observed clinical improvements. Sensory evaluation further demonstrated excellent product palatability, supporting the intervention’s potential clinical and acceptability benefits Conclusion: : Selenium-enriched tuna nuggets represent a safe, highly acceptable, and effective functional dietary adjunct to improve anthropometrics, optimize lipid subfractions, and suppress chronic systemic inflammation in patients with ICM.