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Trace elements in scalp hair samples from patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
Elisa Tamburo1, Daniela Varrica1, Gaetano Dongarrà1
1Dipartimento Scienze della Terra e del Mare (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Palermo, Sicily, Italy.
Plos One
|April 10, 2015
Summary
Trace element levels in hair differ between Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients and healthy individuals. MS patients showed lower aluminum and rubidium, and higher uranium levels, suggesting a metabolic imbalance in MS pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Environmental Health
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Epidemiological studies suggest trace elements (TE) may play a role in neurological diseases like Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
- Hair analysis is a practical method for quantifying TE in individuals, including those with neurodegenerative conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare scalp hair TE levels in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients versus healthy controls from Sicily.
- Investigate potential correlations between TE levels and MS disease characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) analyzed 21 elements in scalp hair.
- Compared 48 MS patients (relapsing-remitting) with 51 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- MS patients exhibited significantly lower hair aluminum and rubidium, and higher uranium concentrations compared to controls.
- Elevated hair nickel, barium, and uranium, and reduced aluminum and rubidium were noted in MS patients.
- Specific elements (Ag, Cr, Fe, Ni, Sr) showed significant differences in MS patients stratified by gender.
Conclusions:
- Observed TE differences in MS patients' hair suggest a metabolic imbalance contributing to MS pathogenesis.
- Increased uranium and decreased aluminum and rubidium levels in MS warrant further investigation.
- The distinct elemental profiles in MS patients highlight potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
