Association between fatality rate of COVID-19 and selenium deficiency in China

Abstract

Background COVID-19 has impacted populations around the world, with the fatality rate varying dramatically across countries. Selenium, as one of the important micronutrients implicated in viral infections, was suggested to play roles. Methods An ecological study was performed to assess the association between the COVID-19 related fatality and the selenium content both from crops and topsoil, in China. Results Totally, 14,045 COVID-19 cases were reported from 147 cities during 8 December 2019–13 December 2020 were included. Based on selenium content in crops, the case fatality rates (CFRs) gradually increased from 1.17% in non-selenium-deficient areas, to 1.28% in moderate-selenium-deficient areas, and further to 3.16% in severe-selenium-deficient areas (P = 0.002). Based on selenium content in topsoil, the CFRs gradually increased from 0.76% in non-selenium-deficient areas, to 1.70% in moderate-selenium-deficient areas, and further to 1.85% in severe-selenium-deficient areas (P < 0.001). The zero-inflated negative binomial regression model showed a significantly higher fatality risk in cities with severe-selenium-deficient selenium content in crops than non-selenium-deficient cities, with incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 3.88 (95% CIs: 1.21–12.52), which was further confirmed by regression fitting the association between CFR of COVID-19 and selenium content in topsoil, with the IRR of 2.38 (95% CIs: 1.14–4.98) for moderate-selenium-deficient cities and 3.06 (1.49–6.27) for severe-selenium-deficient cities. Conclusions Regional selenium deficiency might be related to an increased CFR of COVID-19. Future studies are needed to explore the associations between selenium status and disease outcome at individual-level.

The Relevance of Plant-Derived Se Compounds to Human Health in the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Pandemic Era

“…Thus far, a few recent investigations have provided strong evidence for a nexus between Se status and COVID-19 outcomes [142,143]. Most of these studies were conducted in China, as this country has populations with both the lowest and the highest Se status globally.…”

“…Zhang et al [143] evaluated the association between COVID-19 related fatality and the Se content in crops and topsoil at the population level in China in one year (December 2019-2020). The authors considered 14,045 COVID-19 cases reported from 147 cities, and found that the case fatality rates (CFRs, calculated by dividing the observed number of deaths by the number of confirmed cases) increased from 1.17% in Se-sufficient areas (>0.06 ppm Se) to 3.16% in highly deficient Se areas (<0.03 ppm).…”

Role of rehabilitation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: a review

“…Micronutrient insufficiency is also commonly noticed during the course with significant risk of worse outcome in COVID-19 patients. Between 9 December, 2019 and 13 December 2020, case fatality rates significantly increase in severe-selenium-deficiency areas (3.16%) comparing to non-selenium-deficiency areas (1.17%) [ 38 ]. The role of fruits and vegetables consumption has been recognized to make an impact on immune system [ 39 ].…”

Comparative evaluation of antioxidant characteristics and selenium levels in seeds of Cichorium intybus L. and several representatives of Apiaceae plants

“…Однако данных о накопле- Интересно отметить, что по сравнению с листовыми формами сельдерейных культур цикорий по содержанию селена в семенах может сравниться только с данными для двух сортов листовой петрушки: Бриз и Москвичка [1]. Вопрос получения цикория с повышенным содержанием селена имеет особое значение в связи с потенциальной возможностью получения функциональных продуктов питания с повышенным содержанием микроэлемента и выявленным протекторным действием соединений селена по отношению к вирусным и хроническим заболеваниям, выключая Ковид-19 [18,25,26].…”

“…Поскольку основным источником селена для человека является пища, то крайне важным представляется оценка уровней накопления микроэлемента различными сельскохозяйственными культурами, в том числе и семенами. Выявленные защитные свойства селена в отношении вирусных заболеваний, включая Ковид-19 [18], создают дополнительный стимул для таких исследований.…”