Blood selenium concentration of residents of Upper Silesia: relation to age and gender

The aim of this study was to evaluate age- and gender-dependent differences in the selenium status of apparently healthy human subects living in upper Silesia. A total of 1380 individuals (925 male and 455 female) were examined for whole blood selenium. The subects were subdivided into six groups according to age, the youngest included adolescents aged 10-15 years, and the oldest were centenarians. The mean Se content was relatively low (63.5±18.1 µg/L), and it was significantly (p<0.01) higher in men (66.3 ±17.0 µg/L) than in women (58.1±18.9 µg/L). A significant (p<0.01) age-related effect on the whole blood Se concentration was observed. The highest percentage of individuals with adequate Se status and the lowest number of Se-depleted subects were found among adults aged 21 to 40 years. in about 40 to 50% of ado- lescents and adults Se concentration was comprised within the suboptimal range of 60 to 80 µg Se/L.