Trace Elements in Serum Samples of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

The aim of this study was to compare trace element concentrations in plasma samples of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) with healthy controls to ascertain the association of these trace elements with MS. A total of 55 patients with MS 15-70 years old and 90 healthy individuals without MS were investigated. Using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, we determined 24 elements in blood plasma from MS patients and a control group. Compared to subjects without MS, a lower concentration level of calcium (Ca) (58.3 mg/L vs. 70.4 mg/L, P<0.001), potassium (K) (457.7 µg/L vs. 546.9 µg/L, P<0.001), sulphur (S) (250.1 mg/L vs. 273.5 mg/L, P<0.001)), sodium (Na) (2644.9 µg/L vs. 2783.2 µg/L, (P<0.001), phosphor (P) (271.3 mg/L vs. 300.5 mg/L, P<00.001) and zinc (Zn) (235.2 µg/L vs. 288.1 µg/L, P<0.001) were found in MS patients. Lower concentration levels of Ca, K and Zn have stronger associations with MS. The results on the whole indicate the involvement of Ca, K, S, Na, P and Zn (decreased serum level) in MS that may cause or result from the disease. This warrants further study.