Abstract

ObjectiveHigher selenium level has been hypothesized to have the potential to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases including dyslipidemia. However, results from previous studies are inconsistent. This study aims to determine the association between selenium level and dyslipidemia in elderly Chinese with relatively low selenium status.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 1859 participants aged 65 or older from four rural counties in China was conducted. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDLC) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDLC), nail selenium concentration and APOE genotype were measured in all subjects. The four types of dyslipidemia were defined as >5.17mmol/L for High-TC, >1.69 mmol/L for High-TG, >3.36 mmol/L for High-LDLC, and <1.04 mmol/L for Low-HDLC according to Chinese Guidelines on Prevention and Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults. Logistic models adjusting for age, gender, APOE genotype, body mass index, alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity, medication use for cardiovascular diseases were used to examine the relationship between selenium levels and the risk of dyslipidemia.ResultsMean nail selenium concentration was 0.465μg/gin this sample. Rates for High-TC, High-LDLC, High-TG, Low-HDLC were 18.13%, 13.23%, 12.21% and 32.76% respectively. Results from logistic models indicated that higher selenium levels were significantly associated with higher risk of High-TC, High-LDLC and lower risk of Low-HDLC adjusting for covariates (p < 0.0001). Compared with the lowest selenium quartile group, participants in selenium quartile groups 2, 3 and 4 had significantly higher rates of High-TC, High-LDLC, High-TG, and lower rate of Low-HDLC adjusting for covariates. No significant association was observed between selenium level and the risk of High-TG. APOEε4 carriers had higher rates of High-TC and High-LDLC. There was no interaction between selenium level and APOE with the rates of dyslipidemia.ConclusionsOur results suggest long-term selenium exposure level may be associated with the risk of dyslipidemia in elderly population. Future studies are needed to examine the underlying mechanism of the association.

Highlights

  • Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient with antioxidant properties and it has been hypothesized to have the potential to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other chronic diseases [1,2]

  • Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDLC) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDLC), nail selenium concentration and APOE genotype were measured in all subjects

  • Logistic models adjusting for age, gender, APOE genotype, body mass index, alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity, medication use for cardiovascular diseases were used to examine the relationship between selenium levels and the risk of dyslipidemia

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Summary

Introduction

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient with antioxidant properties and it has been hypothesized to have the potential to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other chronic diseases [1,2]. More concern has been raised about possible adverse cardio-metabolic effects of high selenium status on CVD, such as increased risk of hyperlipidemia [12], which is one of the pathogenetic bases of cardiovascular diseases. Results from epidemiological studies have found that higher selenium levels were associated with higher lipid levels [18,19,20,21,22]. Most of these studies were from developed countries where selenium supplements were common and individuals with high cholesterol levels were generally treated with lipid lowering medications. The positive association between selenium and lipid could have resulted from reverse causation that individuals with hyperlipidemia were more likely to take dietary supplements including selenium

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