Sex-specific associations of serum selenium and selenoprotein P with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension in the Berlin Aging Study II

Selenium is essential for expression and proper function of a set of redox active selenoproteins implicated in aging-relevant diseases, e.g. type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and hypertension. However, data in cohorts of older adults, particularly with respect to different Se biomarkers and sex-specific analyses are sparse. To assess associations of serum Se and selenoprotein P (SELENOP) concentrations with T2D and hypertension in a cohort of older females and males. This study included 1500 participants from the Berlin Aging Study II. Diagnosis of T2D was made in case of antidiabetic medication, self-reported T2D, or laboratory parameters. Diagnosis of hypertension was based on self-report, blood pressure measurement, or anti-hypertensive medication. Se was measured by spectroscopy, and SELENOP by ELISA. Multiple adjusted regression models quantified dose-dependent associations. Participants had a median(IQR) age of 68 (65,71) years, and 767 (51%) were women. 191 (13%) participants had T2D and 1126 (75%) had hypertension. Se and SELENOP correlated significantly (r = 0.59, p