Selenium deficiency has been linked to anemia of inflammation, which is mediated by hepcidin. However, there are few studies providing evidence of the role of hepcidin in this relationship. In this study, we investigated the interrelationships among selenium biomarkers, hepcidin concentration, and iron status among individuals with overweight/obesity compared to their normal weight counterparts, since obesity is associated with chronic inflammation. A total of 59 college students were recruited for this study. Fasting blood samples were collected for the analysis of iron status, plasma selenoproteins (glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and selenoprotein P (SEPP1)), and plasma hepcidin. Subjects completed three-day dietary records to determine average daily nutrient intakes. SEPP1 concentration, GPX activity, and iron status biomarkers (serum iron, transferrin saturation, and hemoglobin concentration) were lower among individuals with overweight/obesity compared with individuals with normal weight, but these differences were not significant (p > 0.05). Regression analysis showed that GPX activity (β = −0.018, p = 0.008) and SEPP1 concentration (β = −1.24, p = 0.03) were inversely associated with hepcidin concentration. The inverse association between selenoproteins and hepcidin concentration supports a potential role of hepcidin as a mediator between selenium and iron status and warrants further studies to better understand this relationship.

Phytate, an antioxidant, may improve cognition by inhibiting iron catalyzed hydroxyl radical formation. Particularly in the elderly, this provides a potential dietary approach for mitigating age-related brain neuronal dysfunction and loss. In this study, we investigated the relationship between phytate intake and cognitive function in the elderly. We used data from the 2013–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and the corresponding Food Patterns Equivalents Database (FPED). Phytate content of food groups from published data were merged with the appropriate FPED data to estimate the total phytate intake for each subject. Principal component analysis was used to develop a composite score from four cognitive function scores in NHANES data, and regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between this score and phytate intake. Median phytate intake was 0.65 (0.61, 0.71) g/day. It was low among females, non-Hispanic blacks, and people with history of at least one chronic disease (p < 0.05). In regression analysis adjusted for confounders, phytate intake was positively associated with cognitive function (β (95% CI) = 1.90 (0.73–3.07); p = 0.015). These results suggest that phytate may be associated with improved cognition, hence the need to consider including phytate-rich foods in the diet among the elderly.

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Abstract. Chronic, systemic inflammation, which is associated with obesity and numerous other diseases, impairs iron status by increasing hepcidin concentration. Inflammation also decreases the concentration of transferrin, the main iron transport protein and a negative acute phase protein, which is indirectly assessed by measuring total iron binding capacity (TIBC). However, the contribution of diet-induced inflammation has not been studied. Data from two studies, namely Diet and Inflammation and Selenium and Inflammation Studies (total n=98) were used to assess the associations among Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) scores derived from three-day dietary records, body mass index (BMI=weight[kg]/height[m]2), inflammatory and hematological markers among young adults with normal-weight, overweight or obesity. Subjects’ diets were also categorized as less inflammatory diets (LID) and inflammatory diets (ID) using cluster analysis. Independent t-test and regression analyses were used to assess associations in the data. Intakes of iron, proteins, fat, fiber, and calories were higher in the LID group compared to the ID group (p<0.05). Demographic characteristics and concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and iron status biomarkers did not differ significantly between the two groups (p>0.05). Higher DII score was associated with increasing CRP (β+SE=0.23+0.07, p=0.002) and lower TIBC (β+SE=−8.46+3.44, p=0.02), independent of BMI category. The LID diet was associated with higher TIBC (β+SE=29.87+10.75, p=0.007) compared to the ID diet. In conclusion, inflammatory diets may impair iron status by reducing the iron binding capacity of transferrin.

Objectives Selenium deficiency is considered a risk factor for anemia of chronic inflammation, which is mediated by hepcidin. However, there are no studies providing evidence of the role of hepcidin in this relationship. In this study, we investigated the interrelationships among selenium biomarkers, hepcidin concentration, and iron status among individuals with obesity compared with their normal weight counterparts, since obesity presents with low-grade chronic inflammation Methods A total of 59 college students (18–40y) consisting of 27 individuals with normal weight and 32 individuals with overweight/obesity were recruited for this study. Fasting blood samples were collected for the analysis of iron status biomarkers, plasma selenoproteins (glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and selenoprotein P) and plasma hepcidin concentration. Subjects completed 3-day dietary records to determine average daily nutrient intakes. Regression analysis, independent t-test and Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to determine the relationships among variables. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results There were no significant differences in nutrient intakes between subjects with overweight/obesity and those with normal weight (P > 0.05). Selenoprotein P concentration, GPX activity and iron status biomarkers (serum iron, transferrin saturation and hemoglobin concentration) were lower among individuals with overweight/obesity compared with individuals with normal weight, but these differences were not significant (P > 0.05). Regression analysis showed that the relationship between hepcidin concentration and transferrin saturation depended on body weight status with an inverse relationship in subjects with overweight/obesity compared with their normal weight counterparts (P = 0.046). GPX activity (β = −0.018, P = 0.008) and selenoprotein P concentration (β = −1.24, P = 0.03) were inversely associated with hepcidin concentration (P < 0.001). Conclusions Our study showed an inverse association between selenium status and hepcidin concentration which highlights the importance of selenium in addressing inflammation-related anemia. Intervention studies on the effect of selenium supplementation on hepcidin concentration and iron status in individuals with anemia of inflammation are needed to support these findings. Funding Sources None.

Objectives Several studies have investigated the role of hepcidin in hypoferremia of obesity, but findings are mixed. In this study we examined the interrelationships among inflammatory markers, hepcidin and circulating iron, and investigated the contribution of hepcidin to iron status among subjects with overweight or obesity compared to those with normal weight. Methods This study combined data from two different cross-sectional studies in which inflammatory and iron status markers and hepcidin concentrations were measured from fasting blood samples for a total of 98 subjects with either normal weight (n = 28), overweight (n = 39) or obesity (n = 31). Associations among variables were investigated using ANOVA, correlation and regression analyses. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Mean ± SEM were reported for continuous variables except for skewed variables in which case geometric means (geometric mean ± 1SEM interval) were reported. Results Subjects with obesity had lower serum iron concentration compared to those with normal weight [(72 ± 6 µg/dL vs. 103 ± 10 µg/dL; P = 0.01)]. C-reactive protein concentration was highest in subjects with obesity [3.63 (2.98, 4.43) mg/L], followed by those with overweight [0.80 (0.66, 0.98) mg/L] and lowest among those with normal weight [(0.40 (0.32, 0.48) mg/L) (P < 0.05 for all). Ferritin concentration did not differ among groups (P > 0.05). Hepcidin concentration was positively correlated with BMI, hemoglobin, serum iron and serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation. Regression analyses adjusting for confounding variables showed that the association between plasma hepcidin concentration and both serum iron and transferrin saturation depended on the BMI category (P-values for interactions <0.05) with an inverse relationship among subjects with obesity compared to a positive association among those with normal weight. Conclusions The results of our study contribute to evidence of the role of elevated hepcidin in hypoferremia among individuals with obesity compared to those with normal weight. Funding Sources none.

Objectives The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a global public health emergency, due to the ensuing economic burden and death. With robust research into vaccines, antibody treatments, and antiviral drugs for COVID-19, there is still a dearth of evidence on the role of an individual's nutritional status. This study aimed to investigate the association between selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) status and COVID-19 severity in North Carolina among individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. Methods Subjects (n = 106) were recruited remotely as part of the Nutrition and COVID-19 in North Carolina (NC-NC) study and filled out online screening questionnaires and dietary surveys and provided toenail samples to be analyzed for Zn and Se concentrations. To assess the severity of COVID-19, subjects were asked about the presence and duration of 10 commonly reported symptoms. These responses were used to calculate a COVID-19 Severity Index (CSI). The relationship between Zn and Se status (intake and toe-nail concentrations) and CSI was explored using regression analysis. Results Our results showed that, the median (25th, 75th percentiles) dietary Se and Zn intake from selected food sources were 65.2 µg (43.2,112.9) and 4.3 mg (1.8, 8) respectively. Headache, cough, loss of smell or taste, and fever were reported by at least half of participants. In stepwise regression analysis, among individuals with low Se and Zn intake (below the median), Se but not Zn intake was inversely associated with CSI (β (95% CI) = −0.66 (−1.21, −0.11); p = 0.02). Conclusions Findings from this study support a potential benefit of dietary selenium among individuals with low intake, to mitigate COVID-19 severity. Funding Sources North Carolina Policy Collaboratory.