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. 2019 Dec;58(8):3313-3323.
doi: 10.1007/s00394-018-1875-y. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

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

R Swart  1 , A E Schutte  1   2 , J M van Rooyen  1   2 , Catharina M C Mels  3   4
Affiliations

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

R Swart et al. Eur J Nutr. 2019 Dec.

Abstract

Purpose: Despite selenium's beneficial effects in counteracting oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular endothelial dysfunction, controversial results exist regarding the long-term associations between selenium and atherosclerosis, arterial stiffness, and hypertension. We investigated in normal and selenium-deficient groups (and the total group), whether serum selenium relates to measures of large artery structure and function over 10 years.

Methods: This longitudinal study included black adults from rural and urban areas in South Africa. Serum selenium and blood pressure were measured at baseline (N = 987). At follow-up, carotid intima media thickness (IMT), cross-sectional wall area (CSWA), carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (c-fPWV), and blood pressure were measured (N = 718). Selenium deficiency was classified as serum levels < 8 µg/100 ml.

Results: In multivariable-adjusted regression analyses performed in the normal selenium group, c-fPWV after 10 years was negatively associated with baseline selenium (β = - 0.09; p = 0.016). In the normal selenium group, baseline (but not 10 years) blood pressure also associated negatively with baseline selenium (β = - 0.09; p = 0.007). Both IMT (β = 0.12; p = 0.001) and CSWA (β = 0.10; p = 0.003) after 10 years associated positively with baseline selenium in the total, normal, and selenium-deficient groups.

Conclusion: We found a long-term vascular protective association of selenium on arterial stiffness and blood pressure in Africans with normal selenium levels, supporting the notion that selenium fulfills a vascular protective role. In contrast, we found a potential detrimental association between selenium and carotid wall thickness, particularly evident in individuals within the highest quartile of serum selenium.

Keywords: Arterial stiffness; Atherosclerosis; Blood pressure; Carotid intima media thickness; Micronutrient; Pulse wave velocity.

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