Estudio piloto sobre selenio plasmático en personas sanas de Antioquia, Colombia

Problem: In Latin America are few and in Colombia there are no studies on the level of serum/plasma selenium. Objective: To measure selenium in plasma in a group of apparently healthy people. Methodology: A descriptive and longitudinal study in which plasma selenium, retinol, ferritin and body mass index were measured. Selenium was measured by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (electrothermal atomization and background correction by Zeeman effect). Results: In total, 40 individuals from Turbo or El Bagre (Antioquia, Colombia) were evaluated. Selenium level (µg/L): 43,5±12,7; confidence interval 95% 39,5-47,5; in 66% was <46 (lowest European reference level). Retinol was low (<20 µg/dL) in 11% of the individuals and ferritin levels were very low in 44%. Conclusions: In order to build an adequate snapshot of the situation in Colombia, we must develop more studies with larger groups of individuals, with appropriate selection criteria in different regions of the country, with both genders and different ages. Also, studies of Se content in soil and food.