Association Between Selenium Level in Blood and Glycolipid Metabolism in Residents of Enshi Prefecture, China.

Abstract

The present study aimed to detect selenium (Se) levels in the blood of Enshi Prefecture residents in China and investigate the relationship between blood Se levels and glucose or lipid metabolism disorder. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and 1876 subjects were selected through cluster random sampling from Enshi Prefecture using a questionnaire survey, physical examinations, and biochemical blood tests. The mean blood Se level in the overall population was 0.128 ± 0.178μg/mL. Se exhibits a "U"-shaped curve on the serum fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of the total samples, that is, when the blood Se is more than 0.131μg/mL or less than 0.062μg/mL, the FPG increases significantly. A significant negative correlation was demonstrated between the FPG levels of the 4-17-year-old age group and different blood Se levels (P < 0.001). No significant correlation was demonstrated between the serum triglyceride (TG) and blood Se levels. However, a positive correlation was demonstrated between blood Se and serum total cholesterol (TC) levels and the incidence of high cholesterol in the total population (P < 0.001). The odds ratio and related 95% confidence interval for the incidence of high cholesterol between the highest (≥ 0.133μg/mL) and lowest blood Se (< 0.064μg/mL) levels was 2.64 and 1.48-4.79, respectively. The results of this study are very important for the safety scope and risk-benefit assessment of Se in the human; however, further investigation with a larger sample size is required.