Essential trace element levels in multiple sclerosis: Bridging demographic and clinical gaps, assessing the need for supplementation
Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology Volume 83, May 2024, 127421 Aleksandar Stojsavljević
Highlights
• MS patients had significantly lower serum levels of Mn, Co, Zn, and Se than controls.
• Mn, Co, Zn, and Se discriminated MS patients and controls based on demographic parameters.
• Se stratified mild RRMS from highly severe SPMS.
• Co differentiated RRMS from PPMS, while Cu differentiated SPMS from PPMS.
• Deficiency of target essential trace elements should be considered in MS patients.
Abstract
Background
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disorder intricately linked to perturbations in trace element levels. While previous studies have explored circulating trace elements in a limited sample, understanding the impact of demographic and clinical variables on the elemental profile within a larger cohort remains elusive.
Methods
This study aimed to evaluate essential trace elements (Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, and Se) in the sera of 215 MS patients compared to a meticulously matched control group of 100 individuals with similar gender and age. Our main objective was to identify potential variations in elemental profiles based on demographic and clinical parameters among MS patients, elucidating the prospective relevance of supplementing specific essential trace elements.
Results
Data indicated a significant decrease in serum levels of Mn, Co, Zn, and Se, and an increase in Cr in MS patients compared to controls. These trace elements not only discriminated between MS patients and controls but also exhibited distinctive capabilities among demographic subgroups. Gender, smoking habits, and age strata (20–40 years and 41–60 years) revealed discernible variations in elemental profiles between MS patients and their control counterparts. Se demonstrated the singular ability to stratify cases of extreme MS severity, mild relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and highly severe secondary progressive MS (SPMS). In contrast, Co significantly differentiated RRMS from primary progressive MS (PPMS), while Cu significantly differentiated SPMS from PPMS. Additionally, Cu showed a negative correlation with MSSS, while Mn and Zn showed a positive correlation with EDSS.
Conclusion
These findings underscore a substantive deficiency in Mn, Co, Zn, and Se in the MS cohort, supporting targeted supplementation with these trace elements. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationship between essential trace elements and MS, paving the way for further research into personalized nutritional interventions for this complex neurological disorder.