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Trace elements in ALS patients and their relationships with clinical severity
Riccardo Oggiano1, Giuliana Solinas2, Giovanni Forte3
1Department of Biomedical Sciences - Histology, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Chemosphere
|January 26, 2018
Summary
This study explored trace elements in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Results suggest Selenium may be protective, while Lead in blood indicates a potential risk factor for disease severity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with unknown etiology in most cases.
- Motoneuron loss in ALS leads to progressive functional decline and a poor prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of essential and heavy metals in ALS.
- To examine the relationship between trace element levels and ALS clinical severity.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed blood, urine, and hair samples from ALS patients and controls using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).
- Quantified levels of Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Aluminum (Al), Mercury (Hg), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Selenium (Se), Magnesium (Mg), and Calcium (Ca).
- Compared metal concentrations between ALS patients grouped by disease severity.
Main Results:
- A protective role for Selenium (Se) was suggested, linked to its antioxidant functions.
- Elevated Lead (Pb) levels in blood were identified as a potential risk factor associated with ALS severity.
- Interpreting levels of other metals was challenging due to lifestyle factors and potential disease-related changes in essential elements.
Conclusions:
- Trace element analysis may offer insights into ALS pathogenesis.
- Selenium and Lead show potential as biomarkers or therapeutic targets in ALS.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interactions between metals and ALS progression.
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