Unified Health
Selenium Intake and Metabolic Syndrome
Summer 2009, Vol 5, Issue 16


Selenium Investigators in this featured study sought to further clinical understanding of potential predictors of metabolic syndrome and treatment alternatives by assessing correlations between serum complement factor (C3), selenium intake, and several biochemical, anthropometical and lifestyle features in young healthy adults. C3 plays a key role in activating three physiological pathways in response to inflammatory processes. Researchers note inflammatory responses in adipose tissue have already been associated with insulin resistance, and several cardiovascular related alterations of metabolic syndrome. Likewise, circulating C3 has been associated with cardiovascular disease features and several symptomatic presentations characteristic of metabolic syndrome. Research also suggests selenium may reduce inflammatory related disease risk and has been associated with lower concentrations of C-reactive protein in women. In a population of young, healthy adults, Puchau et al sought to assess the relationship between C3, selenium status and the presence or absence of several physiological features linked to metabolic and cardiovascular disease.

The participants included 100 healthy, Caucasian men and women (79 women, 21 men; age 20.7 +/- 2.7 years). Medical histories and physical exams excluded potential participants with inflammatory related diseases, oxidative stress, metabolic disorders and drug and/or nutritional treatments in the prior six months. Anthropometric measurements included body weight, body fat mass, body mass index (BMI), skinfold thickness, waist and hip circumferences and blood pressure. Serum blood analysis measured: serum glucose, triacylglyerols, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), C3, and insulin/insulin sensitivity. Nail samples were assessed for selenium concentrations by "Zeeman background correction graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (ZGF-AAS; Perkin-Elmer Analyst 800; Perkin-Elmer Norwalk, CT, USA)."

Puchau, et al observed statistically significant differences in the following anthropometrical data among subjects with higher and lower concentrations of C3: BMI, adiposity measurements, serum tricyglycerols and selenium concentrations. No significant differences were noted in associations with serum C3 concentrations and blood pressure, weight, and waist/circumference or waist/height measurements. Circulating C3 showed a positive correlation with several features of metabolic syndrome. Conversely, nail selenium concentration was a statistically significant negative predictor of C3 concentrations. This is the first reported research linking circulating C3 with nail selenium concentrations. While the data presented is neither conclusive or comprehensive, Puchau, et al conclude their findings "suggest a possible role for selenium intake in the decrease of C3, which may be an early marker of metabolic syndrome manifestations and inflammatory-related features."

Study: Puchau, B, et al, Eur J Clin Nutr, 1-7 (2008)
UH Issue: Summer 2009, Vol 5, Number 17

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