The SELENOP Polymorphism rs7579 Predicts Hepatic Steatosis in Females with Insulin Resistance in the General Population

Context Selenoprotein P is a hepatokine associated with several metabolic processes. Rs7579 (C > T) is a SeP-related functional single nucleotide polymorphism. Objective In this study, we aimed to identify the environmental factors affecting the relationship between rs7579 and metabolic diseases, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, in the general population. Methods This cross-sectional study was based on the Shika Study, a survey of residents in the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture. We analyzed a total of 900 adults, measuring full-length selenoprotein P (FL-SeP) serum levels using a sol-particle homogeneous immunoassay. Results We observed that selenium and FL-SeP serum levels were associated with dyslipidemia. In males, serum selenium was associated with dyslipidemia and hepatic steatosis. However, in females, FL-SeP tended to be associated with diabetes. Participants carrying the TT genotype and hepatic steatosis exhibited higher levels of liver enzymes, insulin, the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and the homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function than those without hepatic steatosis or with other genotypes. In females carrying the TT genotype of rs7579, hepatic steatosis, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome were associated with higher HOMA-IR levels. Conclusion In this study, we revealed that the association between metabolic diseases and HOMA-IR differed single nucleotide polymorphism genotype and sex dependently. In females carrying the TT genotype of rs7579, hepatic steatosis-associated metabolic disorders (diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and metabolic syndrome) were associated with higher HOMA-IR. The results of this study open the way to genetic signatures-based personalized preventive medicines.