Intersection between Obesity, Dietary Selenium, and Statin Therapy in Brazil

Genome-Wide Admixture and Association Study of Serum Selenium Deficiency to Identify Genetic Variants Indirectly Linked to Selenium Regulation in Brazilian Adults

Blood selenium (Se) concentrations differ substantially by population and could be influenced by genetic variants, increasing Se deficiency-related diseases. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with serum Se deficiency in 382 adults with admixed ancestry. Genotyping arrays were combined to yield 90,937 SNPs. R packages were applied to quality control and imputation. We also performed the ancestral proportion analysis. The Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes was used to interrogate known protein-protein interaction networks (PPIs). Our ancestral proportion analysis estimated 71% of the genome was from Caucasians, 22% was from Africans, and 8% was from East Asians. We identified the SNP rs1561573 in the TraB domain containing 2B (TRABD2B), rs425664 in MAF bZIP transcription factor (MAF), rs10444656 in spermatogenesis-associated 13 (SPATA13), and rs6592284 in heat shock protein nuclear import factor (HIKESHI) genes. The PPI analysis showed functional associations of Se deficiency, thyroid hormone metabolism, NRF2-ARE and the Wnt pathway, and heat stress. Our findings show evidence of a genetic association between Se deficiency and metabolic pathways indirectly linked to Se regulation, reinforcing the complex relationship between Se intake and the endogenous factors affecting the Se requirements for optimal health.

Purification, identification and hypolipidemic activities of three novel hypolipidemic peptides from tea protein

In this study, hypolipidemic peptides were obtained from tea protein by enzymatic hydrolysis, ultrafiltration and high-performance liquid chromatography. Subsequently, the hypolipidemic peptides were identified by mass spectrometry and screened through molecular docking technology, and the hypolipidemic activities and mechanisms of the active peptides were explored. The results showed that the hydrolysate of hypolipidemic peptides obtained by pepsin hydrolysis for 3 h had good bile salt binding ability. After purification, identification and molecular docking screening, three novel hypolipidemic peptides FLF, IYF and QIF were obtained. FLF, IYF and QIF can interact with the receptor proteins 1LPB and 1F6W through hydrogen bonds, π-π bonds, hydrophobic interactions and van der Waals forces, thus exerting hypolipidemic activities. Activity studies showed that, compared with the positive controls, FLF, IYF and QIF had excellent sodium taurocholate binding abilities, pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities and cholesterol esterase inhibitory activities. Moreover, FLF, IYF and QIF can effectively inhibit lipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, reduce intracellular lipid and low-density lipoprotein content and increase high-density lipoprotein content. These results indicated that the three novel hypolipidemic peptides screened in this study had excellent hypolipidemic activities and were expected to be used as natural-derived hypolipidemic active ingredients for the development and application in functional foods.

Effects of Regular Brazil Nut (Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K.) Consumption on Health: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials

The Brazil nut (BN) is a promising food due to its numerous health benefits, but it is still necessary to systematically review the scientific evidence on these benefits. Thus, we examined the effects of regular BN consumption on health markers in humans according to the health state (with specific diseases or not) of the subjects. PubMed, Embase^®, and Scielo databases were used to search for clinical trials. The PRISMA guideline was used to report the review, and the risk of bias for all studies was assessed. Twenty-four studies were included in the present review, of which fifteen were non-randomized. BNs were consumed in the context of a habitual free-living diet in all studies. Improvement in antioxidant status through increased levels of selenium and/or glutathione peroxidase activity in plasma, serum, whole blood, and/or erythrocytes was observed in all studies that evaluated antioxidant status, regardless of the health state of the sample. In addition, healthy subjects improved lipid markers and fasting glucose. Subjects with obesity had improvement in markers of lipid metabolism. Subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus or dyslipidemia improved oxidative stress or DNA damage. Subjects undergoing hemodialysis benefited greatly from BN consumption, as they improved lipid profile markers, oxidative stress, inflammation, and thyroid function. Older adults with mild cognitive impairment improved verbal fluency and constructional praxis, and controversial results regarding the change in a marker of lipid peroxidation were observed in subjects with coronary artery disease. In conclusion, the benefits of BN consumption were found in different pathways of action and study populations.

Sex-Specific Association between Fasting Plasma Glucose and Serum Selenium Levels in Adults from Southern Mexico

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element that by its antioxidant properties has been studied to elucidate its participation in the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes. We evaluated the association between cardiometabolic traits and serum Se levels in a sample of adults from southern Mexico. In 96 nondiabetic individuals, anthropometric data and clinical biochemistry measurements were analyzed. Serum total Se levels were measured with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Serum Se level in the whole sample was 10.309 ± 3.031 μg mL⁻¹ and no difference between the women and men was observed (p = 0.09). Additionally, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was significantly associated with serum Se level (β = −0.07 ± 0.03, p = 0.02, analysis adjusted for age, sex and BMI). Furthermore, sex shows significant interaction with FPG on the serum Se levels (p = 0.01). A follow-up analysis revealed the particular association between FPG and Se levels in women (β = −0.10 ± 0.04, p = 0.01). In conclusion, our data evidenced a women-specific association between FPG and serum Se levels in a sample of adults from southern Mexico.

The role of glutathione peroxidase-1 in health and disease

Glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) is an important cellular antioxidant enzyme that is found in the cytoplasm and mitochondria of mammalian cells. Like most selenoenzymes, it has a single redox-sensitive selenocysteine amino acid that is important for the enzymatic reduction of hydrogen peroxide and soluble lipid hydroperoxides. Glutathione provides the source of reducing equivalents for its function. As an antioxidant enzyme, GPx1 modulates the balance between necessary and harmful levels of reactive oxygen species. In this review, we discuss how selenium availability and modifiers of selenocysteine incorporation alter GPx1 expression to promote disease states. We review the role of GPx1 in cardiovascular and metabolic health, provide examples of how GPx1 modulates stroke and provides neuroprotection, and consider how GPx1 may contribute to cancer risk. Overall, GPx1 is protective against the development and progression of many chronic diseases; however, there are some situations in which increased expression of GPx1 may promote cellular dysfunction and disease owing to its removal of essential reactive oxygen species.

Potential role of selenium in alleviating obesity-related iron dyshomeostasis

Obesity is a serious health problem in modern life and increases the risk of many comorbidities including iron dyshomeostasis. In contrast to malnourished anemia, obesity-related iron dyshomeostasis is mainly caused by excessive fat accumulation, inflammation, and disordered gut microbiota. In obesity, iron dyshomeostasis also induces disorders associated with gut microbiota, neurodegenerative injury, oxidative damage, and fat accumulation in the liver. Selenium deficiency is often accompanied by obesity or iron deficiency, and selenium supplementation has been shown to alleviate obesity and overcome iron deficiency. Selenium inhibits fat accumulation and exhibits anti-inflammatory activity. It regulates gut microbiota, prevents neurodegenerative injury, alleviates oxidative damage to the body, and ameliorates hepatic fat accumulation. These effects theoretically meet the requirements for the inhibition of factors underlying obesity-related iron dyshomeostasis. Selenium supplementation may have a potential role in the alleviation of obesity-related iron dyshomeostasis. This review verifies this hypothesis in theory. All the currently reported causes and results of obesity-related iron dyshomeostasis are reviewed comprehensively, together with the effects of selenium. The challenges and strategies of selenium supplementation are also discussed. The findings demonstrate the possibility of selenium-containing drugs or functional foods in alleviating obesity-related iron dyshomeostasis.

Selenium Supplementation during Puberty and Young Adulthood Mitigates Obesity-Induced Metabolic, Cellular and Epigenetic Alterations in Male Rat Physiology

Selenium (Se) role in obesity is not clear. In addition, information on Se’s role in male physiology, specifically in obesity, is scarce. We conducted this study to evaluate the efficacy of Se supplementation, specifically during puberty until young adulthood, against obesity-induced deregulation of metabolic, cellular, and epigenetic parameters in epididymal fat and/or sperm cells in a rat model. High-fat-diet consumption by male rats during puberty and young adulthood significantly increased body weight, adipocyte size, oxidative stress, deregulated expression of genes associated with inflammation (Adiponectin, IL-6, TNF-α), adipogenesis (CEBPα), estrogen biosynthesis (CYP19) and epigenetic processes in epididymal adipose tissue (Dnmt3a), as well as altered microRNA expression vital for spermatogenesis in sperm cells (miR-15b and miR-497). On the other hand, Se supplementation significantly decreased oxidative stress and mitigated these molecular/epigenetic alterations in epididymal adipose tissue or sperm cells. Our results indicate that selenium supplementation during puberty/young adulthood could improve male physiology in the context of obesity. In addition, it suggests that Se could potentially positively affect offspring health.

Challenging Aspects to Precise Health Strategies in Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders Using Statins

Cardiometabolic disorders (CD), including cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, and obesity, are the leading cause of health concern in the United States (U.S.), disproportionately affecting indigenous populations such a Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders (NHOPI). Dyslipidemia, a prevalent risk factor for the development and progression of CVD, is more prone to occur in NHOPI than other populations in the U.S. High-intensity statin therapy to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is associated with the prevention of CVD events. However, significant side-effects, such as muscle disorders, have been associated with its use. Different ethnic groups could experience variation in the prevalence of statin side effects due to sociodemographic, behavioral, and/or biological factors. Therefore, identifying the most impactful determinants that can be modified to prevent or reduce statin side effects for individuals from high-risk ethnic minority groups, such as NHOPI, can lead to more effective strategies to reduce health disparities. Thus, our Mini-Review explores the challenging aspects of public health precise strategies in NHOPI taking statins, including a culturally informed additional therapy that could positively impact the NHOPI population.