Serum Selenium Levels and Their Relationship with Insulin Resistance in Individuals with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Growing evidence indicates a potential link between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and selenium (Se) levels. This study aims to assess Se concentrations in Saudi women with and without PCOS and to explore the relationships between Se levels, insulin resistance (IR), adiponectin, and lipid markers. We randomly recruited 197 women aged 18 to 40, both with and without PCOS, for this age-matched case-control study. The PCOS participants were categorized into three groups based on their Se levels. All participants underwent interviews, and their anthropometric measurements and blood samples were collected for further analysis of biochemical variables. There was a notable difference between the two groups studied across all biochemical variables. Specifically, fasting blood glucose, insulin, the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) index, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were significantly higher in the PCOS group compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Conversely, Se, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and adiponectin levels were significantly lower in women with PCOS than in their age-matched controls (p < 0.01). HOMA-IR was identified as the sole independent predictor of serum Se levels, explaining 17.2% of the variability in its circulating levels (β =  - 0.57; 95% CI: - 0.96 to - 0.18, p = 0.004). The findings reveal that women with PCOS have lower serum Se levels compared to the controls. Furthermore, the results confirm a correlation between Se levels and insulin resistance.