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ARS Home » Plains Area » Grand Forks, North Dakota » Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center » Dietary Prevention of Obesity-related Disease Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #259850
Title: Determinants of selenium status in healthy adults

Author
item Combs, Gerald
item Watts, Jennifer
item Jackson, Matthew
item JOHNSON, LUANN - University Of North Dakota
item Zeng, Huawei
item SCHEETT, ANGELA - University Of North Dakota
item Uthus, Eric
item SCHOMBURG, LUTZ - Charite' University Hospital Berlin
item HOEG, ANTONIA - Charite' University Hospital Berlin
item HOEFIG, CAROLIN - Charite' University Hospital Berlin
item DAVIS, CINDY - National Cancer Institute (NCI, NIH)
item MILNER, JOHN - National Cancer Institute (NCI, NIH)

Submitted to: Nutrition Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/12/2011
Publication Date: 7/18/2011
Citation: Combs, G.F., Watts, J.J., Jackson, M.I., Johnson, L.K., Zeng, H., Scheett, A.J., Uthus, E.O., Schomburg, L., Hoeg, A., Hoefig, C.S., Davis, C.D., Milner, J.A. 2011. Determinants of selenium status in healthy adults. Nutrition Journal. 10(75):1-10.

Interpretive Summary: Because levels of selenium (Se) poorly reflect nutritional Se status of non-deficient individuals, including most Americans, a more informative means of characterizing Se status in such individuals is needed. Therefore, we conducted a study to elucidate the relationships among biomarkers of Se status and relevant metabolic and genetic factors in non-deficient individuals. In a cohort of 261 healthy men and women, we measured several biomarkers of Se status, evaluating them in relation to selenoprotein genotypes, dietary Se intake, and parameters of single-carbon metabolism. We found plasma Se level to average 142 ng/ml and Se intake to be about 114 µg/d. Two specific selenoproteins, glutathione peroxidase and selenoprotein P, comprised just over half of plasma Se. Our results showed that genotype, methyl-group status and body mass index (BMI) contributed to variation in Se biomarkers in this Se-adequate cohort. Individual differences in plasma Se concentration were largely due to differences in the non-specific component of plasma Se.

Technical Abstract: Background: Supplemental Se may reduce cancer risk in individuals below a threshold Se status, e.g., a plasma Se concentration of ca.106 ng/ml. A more informative means of characterizing Se status in non-deficient individuals is needed. Objective: Elucidate the relationships among biomarkers of Se status and relevant metabolic and genetic factors in non-deficient individuals. Design: In a cohort of healthy men (n=106) and women (n=155), several biomarkers of Se status (plasma Se, plasma selenoprotein P [SEPP1], plasma glutathione peroxidase activity [GPX3], buccal cell Se, urinary Se) were evaluated in relation to selenoprotein genotypes (GPCX1, GPX3, SEPP1, selenoprotein 15), dietary Se intake, and parameters of single-carbon metabolism. Results: Plasma Se concentration was 142.0±23.5 ng/ml and estimated Se intake was 114.4±47.9 µg/d. Plasma GPX3 and SEPP1 comprised 10% and 34%, respectively, of plasma Se, with 47% present as non-specific components accounting for virtually all of the interindividual variation. Buccal cell Se was associated with age and plasma homocysteine (hCys), but not plasma Se. SEPP1 showed a quadratic relationship with body mass index, peaking at BMI 25-30. Urinary Se was greater in women than men, and was associated with metabolic body weight (kg0.75), plasmas folate, vitamin B12 and hCys (negatively). A GPX1 genotype (679T/T) had lower plasma Se than other allelic variants. Fasting plasma glucose and HbA1C were not associated with plasma Se. Conclusions: Genotype, methyl-group status and BMI contributed to variation in Se biomarkers in this Se-adequate cohort. Individual differences in plasma Se concentration were largely due to differences in the non-specific component of plasma Se.