Evaluation of serum selenium levels in term of glycemic control in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Duhok City-Iraq

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a common metabolic disorder that causes comorbidities such as oxidative stress and inflammation through unmanaged hyperglycemia. Selenium is an active component of glutathione peroxidase, an enzyme that acts as an anti-free radical and reduces oxidative stress. As reported in many studies, the relationship between selenium and T2DM is paradoxical, and further research is needed. This study aimed to evaluate serum selenium levels among glycemic index and different variables in patients with T2DM and controls in Duhok, Iraq. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 99 participants: 59 (59.6%) as the patient group and 40 (40.4%) healthy individuals as the control group. Demographic and clinical characteristics such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and blood pressure were recorded. Biochemical parameters such as fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and lipid profiles were analyzed using Roche analyzers (Cobas), and serum selenium levels were analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Selenium levels were significantly higher in the patients (129.42 ± 33.70 μg/L) compared to the controls (115.94 ± 24.06 μg/L; p = 0.032). A negative correlation was obtained between HDL-C and selenium. No significant difference was found in selenium levels among the subgroups categorized according to HbA1c and other biochemical parameters. Selenium levels are altered by lipid metabolism rather than glycemic status. As a result, the use of Se-containing drugs is not recommended for diabetic patients in the studied population. More research is needed to understand the link between selenium and T2DM.