Is selenium intake associated with the presence of depressive symptoms among US adults? Findings from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014

Associations between different triglyceride glucose index-related obesity indices and periodontitis: results from NHANES 2009-2014

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to explore the associations between triglyceride glucose (TyG) index-related obesity indices and periodontitis within the American population.

METHODS

This cross-sectional investigation utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for 2009-2014. The association between the TyG-waist-to-height ratio (TyG-WHtR), TyG-weight-adjusted-waist index (TyG-WWI), TyG-waist circumference (TyG-WC), or TyG-body mass index (TyG-BMI) and periodontitis was investigated utilizing multivariable logistic regression model, subgroup, and dose-response curve analyses.

RESULTS

This study enrolled 4,808 adult participants. Except for TyG-BMI, which did not exhibit a relationship with periodontitis, TyG-WHtR, [odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI))] = 2.83 [1.58-5.10], P = 0.002], TyG-WWI [OR (95% CI) = 7.50 (3.06-18.34), P < 0.001], and TyG-WC [OR (95% CI) = 2.12 (1.23-3.64), P = 0.011] were all associated with periodontitis. Participants in the highest quartile displayed an elevated risk of periodontitis relative to their counterparts in the lowest quartile, as evidenced for TyG-WWI [OR (95% CI) = 1.72 (1.26-2.33), P = 0.001] and TyG-WC [OR (95% CI) = 1.50 (1.13-1.99), P = 0.009] in the full adjustment model. Subgroup analyses suggested more pronounced positive associations between these indices and periodontitis in participants who were < 60 years old, had a BMI ≥ 25, and did not have diabetes. The dose-response curve indicated linear responses in these associations.

CONCLUSIONS

This investigation identified a significant and stable association between TyG-WHtR, TyG-WWI, or TyG-WC and periodontitis, which implies a robust correlation between high insulin resistance and susceptibility to periodontitis in the American population.

Identification of Factors on Blood Selenium Levels in the US Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans and its low or high concentration in vivo is associated with the high risk of many diseases. It is important to identify influential factors of Se status. The present study aimed to explore the association between several factors (Se intake, gender, age, race, education, body mass index (BMI), income, smoking and alcohol status) and blood Se concentration using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-2020 data. Demographic characteristics, physical examination, health interviews and diets were compared among quartiles of blood Se concentration using the Rao-Scott χ2 test. Se levels were compared between the different groups of factors studied, measuring the strength of their association. A total of 6205 participants were finally included. The normal reference ranges of blood Se concentration were 142.3 (2.5th percentile) and 240.8 μg/L (97.5th percentile), respectively. The mean values of dietary Se intake, total Se intake and blood Se concentration of the participants were 111.5 μg/day, 122.7 μg/day and 188.7 μg/L, respectively, indicating they were in the normal range. Total Se intake was the most important contributor of blood Se concentration. Gender, race, education status, income, BMI, smoking and alcohol status were associated with blood Se concentration.

The moderating effect of dietary selenium intake on the risk of infertility-associated depressive symptoms in female

AIM

To analyze the associations between infertility or dietary selenium intake and depressive symptoms as well as the role of selenium intake on the association between infertility and depressive symptoms in women.

METHODS

This study retrieved the data of 4949 women from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. Univariable and multivariable weighted logistic regression analyses were applied to assess the associations of selenium intake or infertility with the risk of depressive symptoms as well as the regulation of selenium intake on the risk of depressive symptoms related to infertility.

RESULTS

The elevated risk of depressive symptoms was found in participants with infertility (odds ratio [OR] = 1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11-2.15). The risk of depressive symptoms was reduced in women with selenium intake ≥55 μg (OR = 0.64, 95%CI: 0.46-0.90). Compared with women without infertility who had selenium intake <55 μg, those with infertility and had selenium intake <55 μg were associated with elevated risk of depressive symptoms after adjusting for confounding factors (OR = 2.01, 95%CI: 1.03-3.90). The risk of depressive symptoms was not significantly increased in women with infertility who had selenium intake ≥55 μg in comparison with subjects without infertility who had selenium intake ≥55 μg (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Selenium intake regulated the association between infertility and depressive symptoms.

Serum and urinary essential trace elements in association with major depressive disorders: a case-control study

Introduction

The etiology and pathophysiology of major depressive disorders (MDDs) remain unclear. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that essential trace elements (ETEs), such as iodine (I), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), cobalt (Co), and molybdenum (Mo), play vital roles in MDDs.

Methods

In total, 72 patients with MDD and 75 healthy controls (HCs) in the Zhumadian Second People's Hospital, Henan Province, China were recruited in our study. The levels of different ETEs were examined in both serum and urine, using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS), for both the MDD patients and HCs.

Results

The serum levels of I, Se, Cu, and Mo were significantly lower in the MDD patients compared to the HCs (p < 0.05), and the urinary levels of I and Zn were significantly higher in the MDD patients compared to the HCs (p < 0.05). The serum concentration of I (Q3: OR = 0.210, Q4: OR = 0.272) was negatively associated with MDD after adjusting for potential confounders, including age, gender, and BMI, and the urinary concentration of I (Q4: OR = 2.952) was positively associated.

Conclusions

The higher levels of I, Se, Cu, and Mo in serum might be protective against the development of MDD, and the excess I and Zn in urine may be associated with MDD pathogenesis. Future research needs to gain a deeper understanding of the metabolic pathways of ETEs, especially I, Se, Zn, Cu, and Mo, in MDD, and their role in the pathogenesis of depression.

Age at menopause is inversely related to the prevalence of common gynecologic cancers: a study based on NHANES

Background

The fluctuation or even loss of estrogen level caused by menopause in women, and most gynecological cancers often occur before and after menopause, so the age of menopause may be related to the occurrence of gynecological cancer.

Aim

To investigate whether the age at menopause is independently associated with the incidence of gynecological cancers and to analyze the possible influencing factors.

Methods

We selected the NHANES public database to conduct the study, and by excluding relevant influencing factors, we finally included 5706 NHANES participants who had full data on age at menopause and the occurrence of gynecologic cancers to analyze the relationship between the amount of age at menopause and gynecologic cancers based on univariate or multifactorial logistic regression analysis. Further, the relationship between age at menopause and the prevalence of different gynecologic cancers was investigated, and changes in the prevalence of different gynecologic cancers by age at menopause subgroups were observed. Finally, other relevant factors affecting the prevalence of gynecologic cancers were further investigated by subgroup analysis as well as subcluster analysis.

Results

Univariate logistic regression analysis between age at menopause and gynecologic tumor prevalence revealed a negative association between age at menopause and the prevalence of common gynecologic cancers ovarian and cervical cancer, and after adjusting for the effects of covariates, a higher risk of gynecologic tumors was found with statistically significant differences at earlier age at menopause. The regression results showed a negative association between age at menopause and gynecologic cancer prevalence in cervical and ovarian cancer patients (P<0.01,P<0.01). Cervical cancer (OR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.87,0.94) and ovarian cancer (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.86, 0.95) were more prevalent among those with younger age at menopause.

Conclusion

Age at menopause is negatively associated with the prevalence of cervical and ovarian cancers, and the earlier the age at menopause, the greater the risk of developing gynecological cancers.

Body mass index modifies the relationship between dietary iron intake and depressive symptoms among adults: A national population-based cohort

BACKGROUND

Research on the effects of dietary iron intake on depression is limited and controversial. The aim of this study was to explore the association between iron intake and the prevalence of depressive symptoms.

METHODS

The present study used cross-sectional data from people who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2007 and 2016. Logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline models were applied to investigate the relationship between iron intake and depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

A total of 16,098 adults aged 20 years or older were included in this study. Compared with individuals with lowest iron intake Q1 (≤8.31 mg/day), the adjusted OR values for dietary iron intake and depression in Q2 (8.32-11.47 mg/day), Q3 (11.48-15.02 mg/day), Q4 (15.03-20.28 mg/day), and Q5 (≥20.29 mg/day) were 0.69 (95 % CI: 0.52-0.91), 0.68 (95 % CI: 0.50-0.94,), 0.59 (95 % CI: 0.42-0.82,), and 0.63 (95 % CI: 0.40-0.98), respectively. The relationship between iron intake and depressive symptoms exhibited a non-linear. Our findings suggested an interaction between body mass index (BMI) and iron intake (P = 0.03). Additionally, the relationship between dietary iron intake and depressive symptoms in adults with a BMI <25 kg/m2 was U-shaped. And the OR of developing depressive symptoms was 0.93 (95 % CI: 0.87-0.99) in individuals with iron intake ≤19.72 mg/day.

LIMITATIONS

Cross-sectional study and relevant data was based on self-reports.

CONCLUSION

A higher iron intake is significantly associated with a decreased prevalence of depressive symptoms, and different levels of BMI can modify the association between them.

Dietary niacin intake in relation to depression among adults: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that an antioxidant diet is a protective factor against depression. However, the association between niacin, an important antioxidant consumed from the diet, and depression has received little attention. Therefore, we explored the association between niacin intake and depression through a cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007 to 2016.

METHODS

Depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9, score ≥ 10). Niacin intake was assessed through 24-h dietary recall interviews. The relationship of niacin intake with depression among adults in US was assessed by using a weighted multiple logistic regression model with subgroup analysis. Non-linear associations were explored using restricted cubic spline models. And we used a two-piece-wise logistic regression model with smoothing to explore the threshold for association between them.

RESULTS

A total of 16,098 adults were included in this study. Compared with individuals with lowest niacin intake Q1 (≤ 15.96 mg/day), the adjusted OR values for dietary niacin intake and depression in Q2 (15.97-22.86 mg/day), Q3 (22.87-32.28 mg/day) and Q4 (≥ 32.29 mg/day), were 0.92 (95% CI: 0.70-1.20), 0.76 (95% CI: 0.56-0.99,) and 0.68 (95% CI: 0.48-0.98), respectively. The results were not modified by sex, by age and by BMI. Furthermore, the relationship between dietary niacin intake and depression exhibited a U-shaped curve (nonlinear, p < 0.001). And depression risk was lowest when dietary consumption of niacin was around 36 mg/day.

CONCLUSIONS

In present study, moderate niacin intake, but not high intake, was associated with lower odds of depression suggesting a U-shaped association.

The importance of selenium in food enrichment processes. A comprehensive review

Selenium is an essential element that determines the proper life functions of human and animal organisms. The content of selenium in food varies depending on the region and soil conditions. Therefore, the main source is a properly selected diet. However, in many countries, there are shortages of this element in the soil and local food. Too low an amount of this element in food can lead to many adverse changes in the body. The consequence of this may also be the occurrence of numerous potentially life-threatening diseases. Therefore, it is very important to properly introduce methods that condition the supplementation of the appropriate chemical form of this element, especially in areas with deficient selenium content. This review aims to summarize the published literature on the characterization of different types of selenium-enriched foods. At the same time, legal regulations and prospects for the future related to the production of food enriched with this element are presented. It should be noted that there are limitations and concerns with the production of such food due to the narrow safety range between the necessary and the toxic dose of this element. Therefore, selenium has been treated with special care for a very long time. For this reason, the presented mechanisms of production processes related to increasing the scale of selenium supplementation should be constantly monitored. Appropriate monitoring and development of the technological process for the production of selenium-enriched food is very important. Such food should ensure consumer safety and repeatability of the obtained product. Understanding the mechanisms and possibilities of selenium accumulation by plants and animals is one of the most important directions in the development of modern bromatology and the science of supplementation. This is particularly important in the case of rational nutrition and supplementing the human diet with an essential element such as selenium. Food technology is facing these challenges today.

Dietary Nutrient Deficiencies and Risk of Depression (Review Article 2018-2023)

Depression is classified as one of the most common mental disorders. Its prevalence has recently increased, becoming a growing public health threat. This review focuses on clarifying the role and importance of individual nutrients in the diet and the impact of nutrient deficiencies on the risk of depression. Deficiencies in nutrients such as protein, B vitamins, vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, selenium, iron, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids have a significant impact on brain and nervous system function, which can affect the appearance of depressive symptoms. However, it is important to remember that diet in itself is not the only factor influencing the risk of or helping to treat depression. There are many other aspects, such as physical activity, sleep, stress management, and social support, that also play an important role in maintaining mental health. The data review observed that most of the available analyses are based on cross-sectional studies. Further studies, including prospective cohort, case-control studies, are recommended to draw more reliable conclusions.

Appropriate Macronutrients or Mineral Elements Are Beneficial to Improve Depression and Reduce the Risk of Depression

Depression is a common mental disorder that seriously affects the quality of life and leads to an increasing global suicide rate. Macro, micro, and trace elements are the main components that maintain normal physiological functions of the brain. Depression is manifested in abnormal brain functions, which are considered to be tightly related to the imbalance of elements. Elements associated with depression include glucose, fatty acids, amino acids, and mineral elements such as lithium, zinc, magnesium, copper, iron, and selenium. To explore the relationship between these elements and depression, the main literature in the last decade was mainly searched and summarized on PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and other electronic databases with the keywords "depression, sugar, fat, protein, lithium, zinc, magnesium, copper, iron, and selenium". These elements aggravate or alleviate depression by regulating a series of physiological processes, including the transmission of neural signals, inflammation, oxidative stress, neurogenesis, and synaptic plasticity, which thus affect the expression or activity of physiological components such as neurotransmitters, neurotrophic factors, receptors, cytokines, and ion-binding proteins in the body. For example, excessive fat intake can lead to depression, with possible mechanisms including inflammation, increased oxidative stress, reduced synaptic plasticity, and decreased expression of 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Postsynaptic density protein 95(PSD-95), etc. Supplementing mineral elements, such as selenium, zinc, magnesium, or lithium as a psychotropic medication is mostly used as an auxiliary method to improve depression with other antidepressants. In general, appropriate nutritional elements are essential to treat depression and prevent the risk of depression.

Lack of sufficient evidence to support a positive role of selenium status in depression: a systematic review

CONTEXT

Globally, depression affects more than 322 million people. Studies exploring the relationship between diet and depression have revealed the benefits of certain dietary patterns and micronutrients in attenuating the symptoms of this disorder. Among these micronutrients, selenium stands out because of its multifaceted role in the brain.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of selenium intake and status on symptoms of depression.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic search was performed in databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and gray literature (on April 6, 2021, updated on January 28, 2022), without restrictions of date, language, or study type.

DATA EXTRACTION

Studies of adults (18-60 y of age) with depression or depressive symptoms were included. Data on selenium biomarkers and/or intake were included. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklists.

DATA ANALYSIS

Of the 10 studies included, 2 were cohorts (n = 13 983 and 3735), 3 were cross-sectional (n = 736, 7725, and 200), 1 was case-control (n = 495), and 4 were randomized controlled trials (n = 30, 11, 38, and 63). Several studies have indicated that low selenium intake or concentration may be associated with symptoms of depression. However, this association was inconsistent across the studies included in this systematic review; due to the high heterogeneity, it was not possible to perform meta-analyses. The main contributing factors to the high heterogeneity include the different methodological designs, methods for diagnosing depression, selenium assessment, and clinical conditions.

CONCLUSION

Overall, there is insufficient evidence to support a positive role of selenium status in depression. Studies with more accurate methods and adequate assessment of selenium status are needed to better understand the role of this nutrient in depression.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021220683.

Vegan nutrition: a preliminary guide for health professionals

Since the beginning of the 21st century, interest in vegan diets has been rapidly increasing in most countries. Misconceptions about vegan diets are widespread among the general population and health professionals. Vegan diets can be health-promoting and may offer certain important advantages compared to typical Western (and other mainstream) eating patterns. However, adequate dietary sources/supplements of nutrients of focus specific to vegan diets should be identified and communicated. Without supplements/fortified foods, severe vitamin B12 deficiency may occur. Other potential nutrients of focus are calcium, vitamin D, iodine, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, selenium, vitamin A, and protein. Ensuring adequate nutrient status is particularly important during pregnancy, lactation, infancy, and childhood. Health professionals are often expected to be able to provide advice on the topic of vegan nutrition, but a precise and practical vegan nutrition guide for health professionals is lacking. Consequently, it is important and urgent to provide such a set of dietary recommendations. It is the aim of this article to provide vegan nutrition guidelines, based on current evidence, which can easily be communicated to vegan patients/clients, with the goal of ensuring adequate nutrient status in vegans.

Associations of Dietary Copper, Selenium, and Manganese Intake With Depression: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Objective

To comprehensively summarize the evidence on the associations of dietary copper, selenium, and manganese intake with depression based on a meta-analysis of observational studies.

Methods

The electronic database of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched up to January 7, 2022, for observational studies on the associations of dietary copper, selenium and manganese intake with depression (no restriction was set for the initiate time). The pooled relative risk (RR) of depression for the highest vs. lowest dietary copper, selenium, and manganese intake category were calculated.

Results

A total of 11 observational studies (61,430 participants) were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. Specifically, five studies were related to the dietary copper intake. The overall multi-variable adjusted RR demonstrated that dietary copper intake was inversely associated with depression (RR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.52–0.76; P < 0.001; I² = 2.4%). With regard to the dietary selenium intake, six studies were identified for meta-analysis. The overall multi-variable adjusted RR showed that dietary selenium intake was also negatively associated with depression (RR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.54–0.74; P < 0.001; I² = 37.8%). In addition, four studies were specified for the dietary manganese intake, and the overall multi-variable adjusted RR indicated a negative relationship between dietary manganese intake and depression (RR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.58–0.86; P < 0.001; I² = 0.0%).

Conclusions

Our results suggest a negative relationship between dietary copper, selenium and manganese intake and depression, respectively. However, due to the limited prospective evidence, our results are restricted to cross-sectional design that precludes causal relationships. More well-designed prospective cohort studies are still needed.

Are Essential Trace Elements Effective in Modulation of Mental Disorders? Update and Perspectives

The emergence of mental disorders is associated with several risk factors including genetic and environmental susceptibility. A group of nutrients serves an especially important role in a number of essential neurodevelopmental processes through brain areas promoting the high degree of brain metabolism during early life, although almost all nutrients are needed. These include macronutrients and micronutrients (e.g., iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, selenium). Numerous nutritional psychiatry trials have been performed to examine the correlation of many individual nutrients with mental health, such as essential trace elements. The increased accumulation or lack of such components will facilitate an alternative metabolic pathway that can lead to many diseases and conditions of neurodevelopment. Mental functions have biochemical bases, so the impairment of such neurochemical mechanisms due to lack of trace elements can have mental effects. In psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and autism, scientific studies demonstrate the putative role of trace element deficiency. Therefore, given the critical roles played by essential trace elements in the neurodevelopment and mental health, the effect of these elements' intake on the modulation of psychological functioning is reviewed.

Lower serum selenium concentration associated with anxiety in children

PURPOSE

Few studies have examined the role of selenium in anxiety. This study aimed to evaluate the association between serum selenium concentrations and anxiety disorders and symptoms in children.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This study utilized data from 831 children participating in the China Jintan Child Cohort Study (mean age = 12.67 years; 46.1% female). Serum selenium samples were collected and anxiety was assessed using the Chinese version of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders. Six types of anxiety scores were calculated, including total anxiety, panic/somatic, generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, social anxiety, and school phobia.

RESULTS

Controlling for covariates, children with lower serum selenium concentrations were more likely to meet clinical cutoffs for total anxiety (OR = 0.992, p < 0.01), panic/somatic disorder (OR = 0.993, p < 0.05), generalized anxiety disorder (OR = 0.990, p < 0.05), social anxiety disorder (OR = 0.991, p < 0.01), and school phobia (OR = 0.989, p < 0.01), but not separation anxiety (OR = 1.000, p > 0.05). Controlling for covariates, lower serum selenium concentrations were also associated with higher continuous total anxiety, generalized anxiety, and school phobia scores (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Lower serum selenium concentrations were associated with higher anxiety. To our knowledge, this was the first study to examine the relationship between serum selenium and anxiety disorders in a sample of children. Results indicate an association between children's micronutrient levels and anxiety disorders.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Improving child nutrition may be a promising strategy to help reduce childhood anxiety.

My nutrition index: a method for measuring optimal daily nutrient intake

Background

Adequate nutrition is essential for individual and population level health. However, determining adequacy of daily nutrient intake in research studies is often challenging given the unique nutritional needs of individuals. Herein, we examine construct, predictive, criterion, content, and concurrent validity of a dietary analytic tool – My Nutrition Index (MNI) for measuring nutrient intake in relation to personalized daily nutrient intake guidelines. MNI gauges adequacy of an individual’s daily nutrient intake based on his or her unique demographic and lifestyle characteristics. MNI accounts for potential adverse effects of inadequate and excess nutrient consumption.

Methods

MNI, calculated based on 34 nutrients, provides an overall index score ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores reflecting a more nutritious diet. We calculated MNI scores for 7154 participants ages 18-65 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2007-2014) by using average nutrient intakes from two 24-h dietary recalls. Survey-weighted binary logistic regression models were used to assess associations between MNI scores and obesity, depression, health perceptions, and past or present cardiovascular disease.

Results

Higher MNI scores were associated with lower prevalence of self-reported cardiovascular disease (OR = 0.69, CI: 0.52, 0.92, p = 0.012), depression (OR = 0.76, CI: 0.65, 0.90, p < 0.001), and obesity (OR = 0.92, CI: 0.87, 0.99, p = 0.016), as well as more favorable health perceptions (OR = 1.24, CI: 1.13, 1.37, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

MNI provides an individualized approach for measuring adequacy/sufficiency of daily nutrient intake that can validly be employed to assess relationships between nutrition and health outcomes in research studies.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40795-022-00497-9.

The role of selenium in depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of human observational and interventional studies

The results of human studies are inconsistent regarding selenium and depressive disorders. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational and interventional studies and provided an overview of the role of selenium in depression. Three databases including Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched on June 30, 2020 and updated on April 12, 2021. Also, we searched in electronical databases of WHO Global Index Medicus and ClinicalTrials.gov. No time or language restrictions were used for the search. A random effects model was used to pool effect sizes. In total, 20 studies were included in the systematic review, and 15 studies were included in the meta-analysis. There were no significant differences in serum selenium levels between patients with depression and healthy subjects (WMD: 2.12 mg/L; 95% CI: - 0.11, 4.36; I2 = 98.0%, P < 0.001). Also, no significant correlation was found between serum levels of selenium and depression scores (r: - 0.12; 95% CI: - 0.33, 0.08; I2 = 73.5%, P = 0.010). Nevertheless, there was a significant negative association between high selenium intake and the risk of postpartum depression (OR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.95, 0.99; I2 = 0.0%, P = 0.507). In addition, selenium supplementation significantly reduced depressive symptoms (WMD: - 0.37; 95% CI: - 0.56, - 0.18; I2 = 0.0%, P = 0.959). Taken these results together, selenium seems to have a protective role against postpartum depression and can be considered as a beneficial adjuvant therapy in patients with depression. Further studies are necessary to draw definitive conclusions.

Higher Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index is associated with higher likelihood of peripheral arterial disease

PURPOSE

To explore the association between SII (Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index) and PAD (peripheral arterial disease) in American adults.

METHODS

Related data from NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) database (1999-2004) were collected and analyzed. PAD was diagnosed by ankle brachial index assessment. The association between SII and prevalent PAD was assessed using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 6,576 eligible subjects (including 6117 subjects without PAD and 459 with PAD) were finally enrolled in the study, among which there were 3,187 females and 3,389 males with a mean SII of 585.3± 401.5. The age of the subjects with PAD was larger compared to those without PAD (70.2±11.8 vs. 58.7±12.5), and the incidence of chronic diseases, that's CAD, diabetes and hypertension, was higher in those without PAD (p<0.001). Multivariable logistic regression indicated that a high SII level was an independent risk factor for PAD (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.18- 1.93, p = 0.0012) after adjusting for body mass index, race, sex, age, diabetes mellitus (yes/no), hypertension (yes/no), and cardiovascular disease (yes/no).

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that a higher SII is associated with a higher risk of PAD.

Association of Selenium Intake and Development of Depression in Brazilian Farmers

Introduction: Depression and deficiency in the consumption of micronutrients are a public health problem, especially in the rural population. The deficiency in selenium consumption affects mental health, contributing to the development of major depressive disorders. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate selenium intake and its association with depressive symptoms in farmers in southeastern Brazil.

Material and Methods: Epidemiological, cross-sectional, and analytical study with 736 farmers aged between 18 and 59. A semistructured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic, lifestyle and clinical condition data. For evaluation of food intake, three 24-h recalls were applied, and for identification of depressive episodes, the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview was conducted.

Results: A total of 16.1% (n = 119) of the farmers presented symptoms of major depressive episodes, 5.8% (n = 43) presented symptoms of current depressive episodes, and 10.3% (n = 76) presented symptoms of recurrent major depressive episodes. Sociodemographic factors associated with depression were gender (p < 0.001), marital status (p = 0.004), and socioeconomic class (p = 0.015). The consumption of high doses of selenium was associated with a reduction of ~54% in the chances of occurrence of depression (OR = 0.461; 95% CI = 0.236–0.901).

Conclusion: High selenium intake is associated with a lower prevalence of depression even after adjusting for sociodemographic variables, lifestyle, and pesticide intoxication. The findings of this study contributed to highlighting the high prevalence of depression in rural areas and its relationship with selenium intake.

Zinc and selenium indicators and their relation to immunologic and metabolic parameters in male patients with human immunodeficiency virus

OBJECTIVES

Micronutrient deficiencies are common among people living with HIV (PLWHIV). The clinical and immunologic consequences of micronutrient deficiencies have been poorly explored in the context of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of zinc and selenium deficiency (dietary intake and serum concentrations) and analyze their associations with absolute CD4+ T-cell counts, inflammation markers, and metabolic disorders in a cohort of antiretroviral-experienced HIV-infected individuals.

METHODS

The zinc and selenium intakes of 124 HIV-infected men were estimated using 3-d food records. In a subcohort of 45 individuals, serum zinc and selenium concentrations and proinflammatory cytokines were determined. Body composition, bone mineral density (BMD), CD4+ T-cell counts, lipid profile, glucose, and blood pressure were determined and were associated with zinc and selenium dietary intake and serum concentrations.

RESULTS

Of the PLWHIV studied, 58% had suboptimal intake of zinc and 8% demonstrated suboptimal intake of selenium. Serum deficiencies for zinc and selenium were 23.9% and 65.9%, respectively. Zinc and selenium intake were correlated with increased muscle mass. Selenium intake was associated with increased BMD of the lumbar region. An inverse correlation between serum selenium concentration and several proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α) was found.

CONCLUSION

Suboptimal zinc and selenium intake and serum concentration deficiencies are highly prevalent in treated HIV-positive individuals and are associated with body composition, BMD, and inflammation. Clinical trials should be designed to explore the effect of zinc and selenium supplementation on metabolic, inflammatory, and immunologic parameters on the HIV-positive population.