Sex difference in the association between plasma selenium and first stroke: a community-based nested case-control...

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Neuroscience
• Cardiovascular Epidemiology
• Trace Element Research

Background:

• The relationship between plasma selenium concentrations and the risk of experiencing a first stroke remains unclear.
• This study investigates the potential link between baseline plasma selenium levels and the incidence of first stroke within a Chinese community population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the association between plasma selenium levels and the risk of first stroke.
• To explore potential sex-specific differences in this association.

Main Methods:

• A nested case-control study design was employed, analyzing 1255 first stroke cases and 1255 matched controls.
• Plasma selenium concentrations were quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
• Conditional logistic regression models were utilized to estimate the association between plasma selenium and first stroke risk.

Main Results:

• A significant, non-linear, negative association was observed between plasma selenium and the risks of first total stroke and first ischemic stroke in males, but not in females.
• Males with higher plasma selenium levels (tertile 3, ≥ 94.1 ng/mL) exhibited significantly lower risks of first total stroke (OR 0.63) and first ischemic stroke (OR 0.61) compared to those with lower levels (tertile 1-2).
• No significant association was found between plasma selenium and first hemorrhagic stroke risk in either sex. An interaction between plasma selenium and vitamin E levels was noted in males regarding first total stroke risk.

Conclusions:

• Plasma selenium levels are significantly associated with a reduced risk of first stroke in males, but this association was not observed in females.
• The findings suggest a potential protective role of adequate selenium status against stroke incidence in men.