Biochemical abnormalities in patients with multiple chemical sensitivities

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Environmental Medicine
• Clinical Nutrition

Background:

• Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) patients present with numerous physiological and biochemical abnormalities compared to allergic controls.
• Associated conditions include mitral valve prolapse, hypothyroidism, and metabolic disturbances in amino and essential fatty acids.
• Deficiencies in magnesium and Vitamin B6 are equally prevalent in MCS patients and controls.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the physiological and biochemical abnormalities in patients with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS).
• To explore the potential role of impaired antioxidant levels in MCS and its contribution to hypersensitivity.
• To evaluate the efficacy of antioxidant supplementation in improving clinical outcomes for MCS patients.

Main Methods:

• Assessment of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (ESOD) and glutathione peroxidase (EGPx) activity.
• Analysis of amino acid excretion and leucocyte vitamin C levels.
• Clinical evaluation of patients before and after antioxidant treatment.

Main Results:

• Significantly impaired erythrocyte ESOD activity (89%) and EGPx activity (48%) were observed in MCS patients.
• 41% of MCS patients showed impaired essential amino acid excretion, and low vitamin C levels were noted in some.
• Antioxidant supplementation led to major clinical improvement in 25% and limited relief in 18% of MCS patients.

Conclusions:

• Impaired antioxidant levels are frequent in MCS patients and may contribute to hypersensitivity.
• Antioxidant deficiencies could play a role in the general ill health experienced by MCS patients.
• Supplementation with antioxidants shows promise for improving clinical symptoms in a subset of MCS patients.