Article Type
Article
Abstract
Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is a significant metabolic abnormality that occurs prior to the onset of T2DM and is related to oxidative stress and micronutrient imbalance. Selenium (Se) and chromium (Cr) are trace elements that have important functions in the body, including as antioxidants and in regulating insulin action; however, the relationships between these trace elements and IR remain poorly understood.
Objective: To quantify serum selenium (Se) and chromium (Cr) concentrations in subjects with IR compared to healthy control subjects, and to assess the potential utility of these trace elements as diagnostic biomarkers in IR vs. established metabolic markers.
Methods: A case–control study was conducted in the Al-Muthanna Governorate, Iraq, from March through August 2025, on adults aged 18 to 70 years. The IR group consisted of individuals defined by the HOMA-IR method, while the control group consisted of individuals who had normal metabolic profiles. All participants provided fasting blood samples after an overnight fast. Se and Cr concentrations in serum were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy; fasting glucose and insulin levels were measured by the standard methods of biochemistry and immunoassay.
Results: Those with insulin resistance typically exhibited lower serum selenium and chromium levels compared to normal controls. However, those who were insulin-resistant had significantly higher levels of fasting glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR compared to those who were not. The ROC analysis indicated that standard metabolic markers were better at identifying subjects by their results than chromium as a trace element. However, selenium was demonstrated to possess significant discriminatory power as a trace element. In all cases, the parameters evaluated in this study possessed statistical diagnostic value.
Conclusion: Marked alterations in trace element status, particularly with regard to selenium and chromium, and are associated with insulin resistance, along with major metabolic disturbances. Although conventional markers are still the most reliable indicators of insulin resistance, chromium (and to a lesser extent selenium) may act as beneficial supportive biomarkers. Our data highlight the potential contribution of trace element imbalance to the pathophysiological mechanisms of insulin resistance.
Keywords
Insulin resistance, Selenium, Chromium, HOMA-IR, Oxidative stress, Trace elements
Recommended Citation
Alhnon, Farah J. Hasan and Al-Abadi, Ban Adnan Hatem
(2026)
"Disruption of Serum Selenium and Chromium Homeostasis in Insulin Resistance,"
Muthanna Medical Journal: Vol. 13:
Iss.
3, Article 6.
Available at:
https://muthmj.mu.edu.iq/journal/vol13/iss3/6
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
