Serum selenium and glutathione peroxidase concentrations in healthy Iranian subjects

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: We have investigated the association between serum selenium and GPx concentrations, demographic characteristics, anthropometric features, fasting lipid profile and blood glucose levels, in healthy subjects. METHODS: Serum selenium was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry in 197 healthy subjects. Serum glutathione peroxidase, fasting lipid profile, and blood glucose levels were also determined for each subject. Anthropometric features including blood pressure and body mass index were determined using standard procedures. RESULTS: The mean serum selenium in the whole subjects group was 116 ± 27.73g/l (range 44–209g/l). Serum Selenium and GPX concentration did not vary significantly with gender and smoking habit. Significant differences were observed in serum selenium and GPx concentration with age (P < 0.05 and P < 0.02 respectively). Obese subjects had significantly lower serum concentrations of GPx (r = 0.281, P = 0.01). Serum GPx concentrations were inversely related to weight (P = 0.01), systolic blood pressure (P < 0.01), fasting blood sugar (P < 0.01), serum low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (P = 0.01), serum triglycerides (P < 0.01), and positively associated with fasting total cholesterol levels. The corresponding predictors for serum selenium level were diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.05) and serum triglycerides level (P = 0.05), which were inversely related. CONCLUSION: Serum concentration of selenium in an Iranian healthy population is higher than most countries however, similar to the US and UK. Moreover, serum selenium and GPx concentrations appear to be influenced by physiological factors including age. Their serum concentrations were also associated with coronary risk factors, including serum total cholesterol and serum triglycerides levels.