Abstract
BackgroundThe association between serum selenium levels and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is controversial. We performed a systematic review and non-linear dose–response meta-analysis of observational studies to investigate the association in the present study.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. A pooled odds ratio (OR) and related 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) for T2DM between the highest and lowest serum selenium categories, and a non-linear dose–response relationship between selenium and T2DM were estimated.ResultsA total of five studies (of 13,460 participants) were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. The pooled OR indicated that there was a significantly higher prevalence of T2DM in the highest category of blood selenium compared with the lowest (OR = 1.63, 95 % CI: 1.04–2.56, P = 0.033). Moreover, a significant non-linear dose–response relationship was observed between serum selenium levels and T2DM (P < 0.001). Serum selenium levels were positively associated with T2DM in populations with relatively low serum selenium levels (<97.5 μg/l) and those with high serum selenium levels (>132.5 μg/l).ConclusionsThe positive association between serum selenium levels and T2DM existed in populations with relatively low levels and high levels of serum selenium, indicating a likely U-shaped non-linear dose–response relationship between serum selenium and T2DM.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12937-016-0169-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
The association between serum selenium levels and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is controversial
MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched in September 2015 to identify relevant observational studies that investigated the relationship between blood selenium levels and T2DM
948 records were excluded because they did not meet inclusion criteria, and the remaining 43 full-text studies were evaluated for eligibility
Summary
The association between serum selenium levels and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is controversial. Selenium is one of the most essential trace elements for human health It functions as a redox center as part of the family of selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidases (GPx), transforming hydrogen peroxide and damaging lipid and phospholipid hydroperoxides into harmless products [1,2,3]. It is a basic component of selenoproteins, which are a group of critically important enzymes [1]. In its protective role against oxidative stress, selenium has drawn increasing attention for preventing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases [4,5,6].
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