title: Associations of blood selenium and serum lipid levels in Japanese premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the level of selenium in serum or the level of selenium in erythrocytes (E-Se) was associated with serum lipid parameters (total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides, and high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C]) in pre- and postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthy female workers aged 35 to 60 years were recruited, and TC, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL-C, E-Se, and serum-Se levels were measured in 68 premenopausal and 59 postmenopausal women after excluding those who were treated for hyperlipidemia, receiving hormone therapy, had previous gynecological surgeries, or had irregular menstrual cycles. Information on these women, such as smoking status, current status of menstruation, and current or previous medical treatments, was obtained from a self-administered questionnaire. Correlation analyses and stepwise multiple regression analysis were applied to reveal the interrelationship between serum lipids and Se levels after adjusting for age, body mass index, smoking, and menopause status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postmenopausal women had significantly higher levels of TC, triglycerides, and LDL-C and lower levels of E-Se than premenopausal women. TC and LDL-C levels after menopause correlated negatively with E-Se. These associations were also statistically significant after controlling for age, smoking status, and body mass index. E-Se was selected as a significant related variable to explain TC and LDL-C levels as well as body mass index by multiple regression analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  E-Se may be one of the possible associated factors that decrease the levels of TC and LDL-C after menopause. Further studies are needed to clarify the cause-and-effect relationship of nutritional Se status and lipid profile.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. kanae@med.teiyo-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Kanae
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Karita
authors.forename: Yasuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamanouchi
authors.forename: Takako
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takano
authors.forename: Junji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oku
authors.forename: Tomonari
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kisaki
authors.forename: Eiji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood*; D017697:Premenopause / Q000097:blood*; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012643:Selenium / Q000097:blood*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D012643:Selenium