What question did this study set out to answer?

The research aims to evaluate the prevalence of microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes and their association with selenoprotein P levels.

February 22, 2026Cureus0 citationsOpen Access

Selenoprotein P as a Biomarker for Microvascular Complications in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study in South India

PVPrabakaran Vaithinathan TDTutika Dynika SVS. Vaithiyanathan

Key Points

The research aims to evaluate the prevalence of microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes and their association with selenoprotein P levels.
Conducted a cross-sectional study with 80 type 2 diabetes mellitus adults aged ≥40 years
Assessed neuropathy with the 10 g monofilament test, retinopathy by fundus examination, and nephropathy through urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio
Quantified serum selenoprotein P using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
Analyzed data with SPSS using Pearson or Spearman correlation and appropriate statistical tests.
Among the participants, 45% had neuropathy, and both retinopathy and nephropathy were present in 31.3% each
The mean selenoprotein P level was 4.11 µg/mL, with higher levels associated with retinopathy severity
Statistical differences were not significant in terms of selenoprotein P levels across different complications.

Abstract

Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major global health concern, with microvascular complications, neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy contributing substantially to morbidity. Selenoprotein P (SeP), a selenium-transporting antioxidant protein, has been implicated in metabolic dysregulation. This study examined the prevalence of microvascular complications in T2DM and explored their association with circulating SeP levels in a tertiary care center in South India. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at Vinayaka Mission's Medical College, Karaikal (2022-2025), enrolling 80 adults with T2DM aged ≥40 years. Neuropathy was assessed using the 10 g monofilament test, retinopathy by fundus examination, and nephropathy by urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). Serum SeP was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Analyses used SPSS version 26. 0 (IBM Corp. , Armonk, NY) with Pearson or Spearman correlation and independent t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, as appropriate. Results Among 80 participants (53. 8% women; mean age: 58. 84 ± 9. 79 years), neuropathy was present in 45% (n = 36), retinopathy in 31. 3% (n = 25), and nephropathy in 31. 3% (n = 25). The mean SeP was 4. 11 ± 1. 47 µg/mL and tended to be higher with retinopathy (non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy NPDR: 4. 52 ± 1. 74; proliferative diabetic retinopathy PDR: 4. 89 ± 1. 26) than without (3. 98 ± 1. 34 µg/mL). Group differences were not statistically significant (retinopathy, p = 0. 180; nephropathy, p = 0. 187; and neuropathy, p = 0. 120). Conclusion Microvascular complications are common in this T2DM cohort. Although not significant, higher SeP levels appeared to parallel retinopathy severity, supporting the further evaluation of SeP as a potential biomarker in larger or longitudinal studies.

Ask AI

Helpful

Bookmark

View Full Paper