Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
A Sensitive and Specific Quantitation Method for Determination of Serum Cardiac Myosin Binding Protein-C by Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay
Published on: August 8, 2013
[Serum selenium and dilated cardiomyopathy in Cotonou, Benin]
A Cénac1, J Sacca-Vehounkpe, J Poupon
1EA-948, Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Médecine de Brest Université de Bretagne Occidentale) et service de Médecine Interne 4 - Nutrition, CHU de la Cavale Blanche, 29609 Brest, France (Coopération française). arnaud.cenac@chu-brest.fr
Insights
Serum selenium levels were higher in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) than in healthy postpartum women in Cotonou, Benin. These findings do not support selenium deficiency as a risk factor for these cardiac conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Context:
- Peripartum cardiac failure, a form of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) known as peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), is prevalent in savannah-Sahelian Africa.
- The exact causes of PPCM remain undetermined, with dietary selenium deficiency proposed as a potential risk factor.
- This study investigates selenium levels in patients with PPCM and non-peripartum DCM in Cotonou, Benin.
Purpose:
- To measure and compare serum selenium levels in patients with PPCM and non-peripartum DCM.
- To compare these levels with those of healthy postpartum women in the same region.
- To assess the role of selenium deficiency as a potential risk factor for PPCM and DCM in Cotonou.
Summary:
- Serum selenium levels were measured in 10 women with PPCM, 18 patients with non-peripartum DCM, and 46 healthy postpartum women.
- Mean serum selenium values were similar between PPCM and non-peripartum DCM patients (94 ± 12 μg/L vs. 97 ± 19 μg/L, respectively).
- Healthy postpartum women exhibited significantly lower mean selenium levels (76 ± 13 μg/L) compared to patients, with no critically low values observed in any group.
Impact:
- Serum selenium levels were found to be higher in patients with PPCM or DCM compared to healthy controls in Cotonou.
- The results contradict findings from studies in Bamako and Niamey, suggesting selenium deficiency is unlikely to be a risk factor for DCM (peripartum or otherwise) in this specific population.
- This research contributes to understanding the etiology of peripartum cardiomyopathy in African populations and highlights regional variations in potential risk factors.
Purpose:
Peripartum cardiac failure is common in savannah-Sahelian Africa. It is due to a form of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) known as peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) that results from undetermined causes. Numerous risk factors have been identified and dietary selenium deficiency has been proposed as a possibility. The purpose of this study was to measure serum selenium levels in patients presenting cardiac insufficiency due to PPCM and DCM (nonpostpartum) in Cotonou, Benin and to compare patients with healthy postpartum women with comparable or identical obstetric features.
Methods:
Measurements of selenium status were performed in 10 women (mean age, 27.1 years) with PPCM, 18 patients of both sexes (male/female, 11/7; mean age, 38.9 years) with DCM (non-peripartum), and 46 healthy recent post partum women (mean age, 29.8 years). The Wilcoxon nonparametric test was used for data analysis with a statistical significance level at a p-value <0.05.
Results:
Mean serum selenium values were near similar in patients presenting PPCM and DCM (non peripartum): 94 +/- 12 microg/L versus 97 +/- 19 microg/L respectively. This difference was not significant. No value was less than 72 microg/L. Conversely significantly lower mean values were observed in the 46 healthy recent postpartum women: 76 +/- 13 microg/L (p = 0.0002). The lowest value was 57 microg/L.
Conclusion:
Serum selenium measurements in Cotonou showed that levels were higher in patients presenting PPCM or DCM (nonperipartum) than in healthy controls. Extremely low values were never observed. These results differed from those obtained in Bamako, Mali and in Niamey, Niger and argue against considering selenium deficiency as a risk factor for development of DCM (peripartum or not) in Cotonou.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:29Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy