Selenium and large artery structure and function: a 10-year prospective study

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Health
• Nutritional Science
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Selenium plays a role in counteracting oxidative stress and inflammation.
• Contradictory findings exist regarding selenium's long-term impact on atherosclerosis, arterial stiffness, and hypertension.
• Understanding selenium's vascular effects is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the 10-year association between serum selenium levels and measures of large artery structure and function.
• To analyze these associations in normal and selenium-deficient groups.
• To clarify selenium's role in vascular health and disease.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study of Black adults in South Africa (N=987 at baseline, N=718 at follow-up).
• Measurements included serum selenium, blood pressure, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), cross-sectional wall area (CSWA), and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (c-fPWV).
• Selenium deficiency defined as serum levels < 8 µg/100 ml.

Main Results:

• In normal selenium groups, higher baseline selenium was associated with lower 10-year carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (c-fPWV) and baseline blood pressure.
• Higher baseline selenium was positively associated with 10-year carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and cross-sectional wall area (CSWA) in all groups.
• These associations were observed in multivariable-adjusted regression analyses.

Conclusions:

• Selenium demonstrates long-term vascular protective effects on arterial stiffness and blood pressure in individuals with normal selenium levels.
• High serum selenium levels may be associated with detrimental effects on carotid wall thickness.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the complex role of selenium in vascular health.