Selenium level and parameters of diabetes and insulin resistance in middle-aged women

Abstract (1) Background: Selenium is a trace element essential for selenoprotein synthesis. Selenoproteins are known for their antioxidant and cytoprotective properties. The mechanisms underlying insulin resistance and diabetes have not so far been fully elu-cidated. A certain role in the development and progression of type 2 diabetes is attributed to oxidative stress, which became the basis for studying the association between the level of selenium and type 2 diabetes. The aim of the study was to investigate the selenium level in the context of diabetes and insulin resistance parameters in middle-aged women. (2) Methods: The study included 387 middle-aged women. It consisted of three stages: questionnaire-based survey, anthropometric measurements, and analysis of the biological material (blood) for the levels of glycemia, insulin, HbA1c (%), HOMA-IR, and selenium. (3) Results: The mean level of selenium was 99.33 ± 19.79 µg/l, glucose—85.60 ± 12.43 mg/dl, insulin―9.79 ± 5.60 µIU/ml, and HbA1c―5.41 ± 0.45%. (4) Conclusions: In the study group of women, selenium levels and parameters of diabetes and insulin resistance were within the normal range.