The Newfoundland and Labrador mosaic founder population descends from an Irish and British diaspora from 300 years ago

Journal article

IntroductionEmerging evidence highlights the role of selenium (Se) in glucose metabolism through selenoprotein-mediated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways. However, population-specific data remains inconclusive. This study aims to investigate the association between dietary Se intake and prediabetes prevalence in Newfoundland, a population characterized by genetic homogeneity and high obesity rates (39.4%).MethodsThis cross-sectional study used data from 2,665 participants in the Complex Diseases in the Newfoundland Population: Environment and Genetics (CODING) study. Prediabetes was defined by the American Diabetes Association criteria for impaired fasting glucose (FPG: 5.6–6.9 mmol/L). Dietary Se intake was assessed using the Willett food frequency questionnaire and expressed as both absolute (μg/d) and body weight-adjusted (μg/kg/d) metrics. Multivariate logistic regression, generalized additive model regression, piecewise regression models, and subgroup stratification were employed to examine the association.ResultsThe study revealed a significant inverse relationship between body weight-adjusted dietary Se intake (μg/kg/d) and prediabetes prevalence in the fully adjusted models, with a non-linear threshold effect observed at 1.42 μg/kg/d. Below this threshold, each 1-unit increase in dietary Se intake (μg/kg/d) reduced prediabetes risk by 69% (OR = 0.31, P < 0.001). However, such an association did not reach statistical significance beyond 1.42 μg/kg/d. Subgroup analyses demonstrated consistent inverse associations across age groups, family history of diabetes, and history of smoking. However, the association was statistically significant in females (OR = 0.10, p < 0.001) but not in males. Absolute dietary Se intake (μg/d) showed no significant correlation with prediabetes after adjustment.DiscussionWeight-adjusted dietary Se intake (μg/kg/d) exhibits an inverse non-linear, threshold-dependent relationship with prediabetes risk in this high-risk population. The findings underscore the critical importance of body weight normalization in assessing Se’s metabolic effects and formulating Se guidelines

Authors: Gilbert, E; Zurel, H; MacMillan, ME; Demiriz, S; Mirhendi, S

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Nature Research
• Journal: Communications Biology
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 469-469
• Article number: 469
• Publication date: 2023-04-28
• DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04844-9
• EISSN: 2399-3642
• ISSN: 2399-3642
• Language: English
• Keywords: Haplotype; Founder effect; Population bottleneck; Population; Ancient DNA; Biology; Ethnology; Geography; Genetic genealogy; Allele; Demography; Evolutionary biology; Irish; Genetics; History; Human migration; Genealogy; Microsatellite