Forte, G; Visconti, A; Santucci, S; Ghazaryan, A; Figà-Talamanca , L; Cannoni, S; Bocca, B; Pino, A; Violante, N; Alimonti, A; Salvetti, M; Ristori, G
Although some studies suggested a link between exposure to trace elements and development of multiple sclerosis (MS), clear information on their role in the aetiology of MS is still lacking. In this study, the concentrations of aluminium, barium, beryllium (Be), bismuth, calcium, cadmium, cobalt (Co), chromium, copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), lithium, magnesium (Mg), manganese, molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), antimony, silicon, tin, strontium, thallium, vanadium, tungsten, zinc (Zn) and zirconium were determined in the blood of 60 patients with MS (40 women and 20 men; mean age, 38.7±9.9 years) and 60 controls (40 women and 20 men; mean age, 38.4±9.7 years) from Italy [date not given]. Quantifications were performed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) atomic emission spectrometry and sector field ICP mass spectrometry. When the two groups were compared, an increased level of Co, Cu and Ni and a decrement of Be, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mo, Pb and Zn in blood of patients were observed. In addition, the discriminant analysis showed that Cu, Be, Hg, Co and Mo differed between MS patients and controls (92.5% of cases correctly classified).
adults; aluminium; antimony; barium; beryllium; bismuth; blood; cadmium; calcium; chromium; cobalt; copper; human diseases; iron; lead; lithium; magnesium; manganese; mercury; molybdenum; multiple sclerosis; nickel; silicon; strontium; thallium; tin; tungsten; vanadium; zinc; zirconium; Italy; man; Homo; Hominidae; Primates; mammals; vertebrates; Chordata; animals; eukaryotes; Southern Europe; Europe; Mediterranean Region; Developed Countries; European Union Countries; OECD Countries; aluminum; Mn; Mo; Human Toxicology and Poisoning (VV810) (New March 2000); Nutrition Related Disorders and Therapeutic Nutrition (VV130); Non-communicable Human Diseases and Injuries (VV600)