Evaluation of the selenium deficiency impact on metabolic parameters of people of working age

Background. Among the population living in Russia, the frequency of selenium deficiency in the body is more than 80%. An unbalanced diet in terms of the level of selenium supply to the body leads to metabolic disorders among the adult population.

Aim. Study of the relationship between the insufficient level of selenium supply of the body in different periods of the year and changes in body composition, basal metabolism among the adult population aged 25–50 years.

Material and methods. In the autumn, winter and spring periods, the adult population aged 25–50 years, living in the Leninogorsk district of the Republic of Tatarstan, of the 1st group of physical activity (n=143, of which 47% were men) was examined. The body composition was assessed using the ABC-01 “Medass” analyzer for bioimpedansometry. The content of selenium in the hair was studied using an atomic emission spectrometer. An assessment of the obesity and overweight prevalence in the adult population with selenium content below the reference values and the boundaries of the 95% confidence interval was made. Laboratory studies of dishes and foodstuffs for selenium content were carried out using an atomic absorption spectrometer. To assess the actual consumption of food products and dishes, the method of 24-hour (daily) reproduction of nutrition by questioning respondents on a 14-day menu was used. Statistical processing of the studied indicators was performed by the Spearman correlation method, mathematical and centile methods.

Results. In bioassays with a low level of selenium in the hair (<25 centile interval), the largest proportion of subjects with selenium deficiency was noted in autumn in more than 60% of cases, both among men with a 95% confidence interval Z-score=248, and among women with 95% confidence interval Z-score=240, while in spring — only 18% and 42% at 95% confidence interval Z-score=72 and 168, respectively. When studying the relationship of selenium content in hair with morphofunctional indicators, significant correlations were found using the Spearman method with body mass index (RNovember=–0.389), active cell mass (RFebruary=0.260; RMay=0.318), and basal metabolism (RMay=0.313; RNovember=0.294). Analysis of diets revealed a lack of selenium content in food products and ready-made meals in the autumn-winter period in both men (40–46%, n=67) and women (54–61%, n=76), in spring-summer period — in 35 and 42% of cases, respectively. The lower the level of selenium in the hair (in the body), the higher the body mass index, the lower the active cell mass and the basal metabolism. There is no correlation with fat and skeletal muscle mass. The basic exchange is reduced at an insufficient of selenium supply in the body.

Conclusion. The results indicate an insufficient intake of selenium in the body with a daily diet and the relationship of body mass index, basal metabolism with an insufficient level of selenium in the body.