Objective To evaluate the health status of population in selenium (Se)-rich areas of Zhejiang province to explore possible effects of selenium on health.
Methods A comparative ecological study was conducted to compare the disease prevalence and laboratory examination results of 322 adult residents in Se-rich and non-Se areas.
Results In 2008, the incidences of coronary heart disease and stroke were 6.23/105 and 177.69/105 respectively in the Se-rich areas, both of which were less than those in the non-Se areas (19.74/105 and 223.68/105, respectively). The average glutathione peroxidase concentration of population in the Se-rich areas was significantly higher than that in the non-Se areas (261.49 U/L vs. 248.99 U/L, t=2.64, P < 0.05); but the B-lymphocyte concentration of population in the Se-rich areas was significantly lower than that in the non-Se areas (9.33% vs. 11.18%, t=-4.00, P < 0.05).
Conclusion Selenium plays an important role in cardiovascular disease control, antitumor and immunoregulation, while its mechanisms need further study.
DownLoad: