Genetically determined selenium concentrations and risk for autoimmune diseases

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#genome-wide-association-study #humans #likelihood-functions #lupus-erythematosus-systemic #mendelian-randomization-analysis

Genetically determined selenium concentrations and risk for autoimmune diseases

Ye et al., 2021 | Nutrition | Meta Analysis

Citation

Ye Ding, Sun Xiaohui, ... Mao Yingying. Genetically determined selenium concentrations and risk for autoimmune diseases. Nutrition. 2021;91-92:111391. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2021.111391

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Observational epidemiologic studies have reported a relationship between selenium status and risk for autoimmune diseases. However, the associations are susceptible to confounding or reverse causality. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential causal associations of selenium concentrations with the risk for common autoimmune diseases using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) design. METHODS: A meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of selenium among 9639 individuals of European ancestry was used to identify genetic instruments. Summary statistics of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease were obtained from publicly available GWASs, respectively. We conducted MR study using the inverse-variance weighted method, supplemented with weighted median and likelihood-based methods as sensitivity analysis. Cochran Q test and MR-Egger regression were used to detect heterogeneity and potential directional pleiotropy. MR-Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier test was used to identify outlier single-nucleotide polymorphisms. RESULTS: Genetically predicted high selenium level was associated with a decreased risk for SLE (odds ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.77-0.93; P = 0.001) per natural log-transformed selenium concentrations, with similar results in sensitivity analyses. No evidence of heterogeneity, pleiotropy, or outlier single-nucleotide polymorphisms were detected (all P > 0.05). However, genetically determined selenium concentrations may be not associated with risk for rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease in the primary analysis and subsequent sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggested a protective role of selenium on the risk for systemic lupus erythematosus. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Key Findings

Genetically predicted high selenium level was associated with a decreased risk for SLE (odds ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.77-0.93; P = 0.001) per natural log-transformed selenium concentrations, with similar results in sensitivity analyses. No evidence of heterogeneity, pleiotropy, or outlier single-nucleotide polymorphisms were detected (all P > 0.05). However, genetically determined selenium concentrations may be not associated with risk for rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowe

Outcomes Measured

  • inflammatory markers

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 9639
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Humans
  • Likelihood Functions
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
  • Mendelian Randomization Analysis
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Selenium

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: selenium

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09