title: Toenail selenium and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma mortality in Haimen City, China.
abstract: Selenium (Se) is an essential trace mineral with known anticarcinogenic properties in humans. However, few studies have examined the association between Se nutrient status and risk of liver cancer. We conducted a nested case-control study comparing the Se content in toenail clippings of 166 individuals (154 men, 12 women) with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to 394 healthy controls (360 men, 34 women) in Haimen City, China, where HCC is a leading cause of mortality. Toenail Se concentration was measured by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. Median toenail Se was lower for HCC cases than controls (p = 0.03). Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for HCC mortality by increasing quartile of toenail Se were 1.00 (reference), 0.58 (0.32-1.03), 0.83 (0.48-1.42) and 0.50 (0.28-0.90), with a marginally significant trend in risk observed (p for trend = 0.06). This inverse association appeared stronger among those who did not consume alcohol and among women. Future studies are needed to examine the interrelationship between Se, viral hepatitis infection and HCC in order to better understand the etiologic mechanisms involved and evaluate the true chemopreventive potential of Se compounds for liver diseases.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD 20852, USA. sakodal@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: Lori C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Sakoda
authors.forename: Barry I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Graubard
authors.forename: Alison A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: W Thomas
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: London
authors.forename: Wen-Yao
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Fu-Min
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Katherine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: McGlynn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009262:Nails / Q000737:chemistry*; D009790:Occupations; D012643:Selenium / Q000032:analysis*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012907:Smoking; D014505:Urban Population
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D012643:Selenium