Effects of selenium supplementation on PI3K/Akt/GLUT-4 insulin signaling pathway activation: a systematic review with meta-analysis of animal models of diabetes

Tamires da Cunha Soares, Lyandra Dias da Silva, Nilmara Cunha da Silva, Dallyla Jennifer Morais de Sousa, Bianca Mickaela Santos Chaves, Sarah Ângelo Diniz Melo, Thayanne Gabryelle Visgueira de Sousa, Emyle Horrana Serafim de Oliveira et al.

Revista Eletrônica Acervo Saúde, 2026

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to elucidate, through systematic review and meta-analysis, how exposure to selenium can influence the activation of the PI3K/Akt/GLUT-4 signaling pathway in animal models of diabetes. Methods: Search was performed in the PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, LILACS, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, without a time limit, with a focus on studies conducted in animal models of diabetes. Results: 13 articles were included in this review. The findings show that selenium supplementation resulted in increased expression of the GLUT-4 protein, as well as improved fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR in animal model, disregarding studies conducted on humans that show a diabetogenic effect of this mineral in many studies conducted. Similarly, this meta-analysis shows controversies results regarding modulation of the PI3K/Akt/GLUT-4 pathway and glucose metabolism in different animal models. Final considerations: The relationship between selenium and insulin signaling is complex and dependent on dose, compound, and tissue, is important to interpret these results carefully.

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