Serum selenium levels are associated with age-related cataract

• Main Authors: Michał Post, Wojciech Lubiński, Jan Lubiński, Karol Krzystolik, Piotr Baszuk, Magdalena Muszyńska, Wojciech Marciniak
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Rural Health 2018-09-01
• Series: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine
• Subjects: selenium; age-related cataract; single nucleotide polymorphism; LOCS III; glutathione peroxidase; SNP
• Online Access: http://www.journalssystem.com/aaem/Serum-selenium-levels-are-associated-with-age-related-cataract-,90886,0,2.html

Objective The aim of the study is to analyse correlations between age-related cataract (ARC), serum selenium levels and glutathione peroxidase gene 1 and 4 (GPX-1 and GPX-4). Material and methods A total sample of 275 participants were enrolled into the study: group A, 94 subjects elligible for ARC surgery, and group B, 181 volunteers without ocular symptoms, gender-, age-, and smoking- status and volume-matched at 1:2 with subjects in group A. All participants (n=275) were divided according to the Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III) into: 1) study group (subjects with clinically significant cataract; N≥3 or C≥3 or P≥2), 2) control group (controls with clinically non-significant cataract; N<3 and C<3 and P<2). The single nucleotide polymorphisms of GPX-1 and GPX-4 were assessed using Real Time PCR. Serum selenium levels were assayed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Results Low selenium levels significantly predicted any age-related cataract (OR 7.969; p<.01), nuclear cataract (OR 12.823; p<.01) and cortical cataract (OR 3.31; p<.01). There was no significant effect of gender, age, SNP GPX-1 and SNP GPX-4 on the prevalence of age-related nuclear, cortical and posterior sub-capsular cataract. Serum selenium levels of 75–85 µg/L were associated with the lowest prevalence of ARC. Conclusions Due to a confirmed association between serum selenium levels and age-related cataract, low serum selenium levels may constitute a potential risk factor of age-related cataract.