A study published in the journal Aging, known in academic circles as “Aging (Albany NY)” according to MEDLINE/PubMed and as “Aging-US” by Web of Science, in its Volume 15, Issue 6, focuses on “Selenium as a predictor of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged women.”
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a significant and widespread clinical concern, increasingly recognised as an epidemic on a global scale. The trace element selenium is acknowledged for its pivotal role in maintaining metabolic equilibrium. Notably, its potential influence on the expression and functionality of PPAR-γ, a crucial factor in energy regulation and cellular differentiation, has been brought to light. In this groundbreaking research, the team comprising Daria Schneider-Matyka, Anna Maria Cybulska, Małgorzata Szkup, Bogumiła Pilarczyk, Mariusz Panczyk, Agnieszka Tomza-Marciniak, and Elżbieta Grochans from the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, alongside collaborators from the West Pomeranian University of Technology and the Medical University of Warsaw, embarked on an exploration of the interplay between selenium levels and MetS in women, a demographic particularly vulnerable to MetS as they age.
The core objective of the research was to elucidate the correlation between selenium levels and MetS, mainly focusing on how PPAR-γ impacts MetS incidence under the moderating influence of selenium.
The research encompassed 390 middle-aged women and was structured in several phases: a questionnaire segment, anthropometric data collection, and the biochemical analysis of blood samples for glycemia, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, and selenium concentrations, along with a genetic study focusing on PPAR-γ polymorphisms. Findings indicated that selenium levels could modulate the impact of the G allele of the PPAR-γ gene on the development of increased waist circumference and elevated blood pressure, presenting a nuanced interplay between genetic factors and selenium in the metabolic profile. Higher selenium levels were associated with more favourable HDL cholesterol levels, especially among participants fitting the MetS diagnostic criteria.
The study’s conclusions are multifaceted. No direct effect of selenium on MetS or its components was established. The study did not demonstrate a direct impact of specific PPAR-γ gene alleles on MetS or its components. Selenium levels appeared to influence waist circumference among G allele carriers and arterial hypertension among carriers of both C and G alleles, likely through modulating PPAR-γ expression. Elevated selenium levels were correlated with an increased likelihood of higher HDL levels in individuals diagnosed with MetS.
This investigation underscores the complexity of selenium’s role in metabolic health, highlighting its potential implications for managing components of MetS such as waist size, blood pressure, and HDL cholesterol levels. The researchers suggest that serum selenium concentrations are a noteworthy factor in addressing specific MetS components, aligning with the global health initiative to optimise selenium intake to counteract diseases linked to both selenium deficiency and excess. This study contributes valuable insights into the nuanced interactions between diet, genetics, and metabolic health, marking a significant step forward in our understanding of MetS and the potential for targeted nutritional interventions.
More information: Daria Schneider-Matyka et al, Selenium as a predictor of metabolic syndrome in middle age women, Aging-US. DOI: 10.18632/aging.204590
Journal information: Aging-US Provided by Impact Journals LLC
