The Comparison of Trace Element Levels in Serum, Bone and Intervertebral Disc Tissues of Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Lumbar Disc Herniation

Aim: The aim of this study was to measure the levels of trace elements (TEs) in serum, bone and disc tissue of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and lumbar disc herniation(LDH) and so to evaluate the role TEs in the physiopathogenesis of in these pathologies. Material and method: In this study, serum, bone, and disc tissue levels of 10 TEs including phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), vanadium (V), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), cobalt (Co) levels were measured in 20 patients with LDH and 30 patients with LSS by the way of Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). Results: While there was no significant difference in the serum levels of the two groups, statistically significant differences were observed in the amount of Ca, Co, P, and V elements in bone and disc tissues. In the LSS group, the Ca element was found to be higher in the bone tissues, whereas in the LDH group, the Co element was found to be higher in the bone tissue. In disc tissue, Ca, P and Co elements were found to be higher in LSS group. Conclusion: The differences in trace element levels seen in these pathologies are discussed in terms of possible causes in the light of current literature. Although it is known that high doses of trace elements have toxic effects, it supports the hypothesis that these trace elements may have beneficial biological effects at pharmacological levels in accordance with the results obtained in our study.