Essential trace element levels in multiple sclerosis: Bridging demographic and clinical gaps, assessing the need for supplementation

Aleksandar Stojsavljević; Jovana Jagodić; Slađan Pavlović; Evica Dinčić; Jovana Kuveljić; Dragan Manojlović; Maja Živković

doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2024.127421

Essential trace element levels in multiple sclerosis: Bridging demographic and clinical gaps, assessing the need for supplementation

J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2024 May:83:127421. doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2024.127421. Epub 2024 Mar 2.

Authors

Aleksandar Stojsavljević¹, Jovana Jagodić², Slađan Pavlović³, Evica Dinčić⁴, Jovana Kuveljić⁵, Dragan Manojlović², Maja Živković⁵

Affiliations

¹ Innovative Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia. Electronic address: aleksandars@chem.bg.ac.rs.
² University of Belgrade - Faculty of Chemistry, Belgrade, Serbia.
³ Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
⁴ Military Medical Academy, Clinic for Neurology, Belgrade, Serbia; University of Defense in Belgrade, Serbia.
⁵ VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, Laboratory for Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.

PMID: 38452433
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2024.127421

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.

Keywords: Deficiency; Demographic/clinical parameters; Essentiality; Multiple sclerosis; Supplementation; Trace elements.

MeSH terms

Adult
Demography
Dietary Supplements
Humans
Multiple Sclerosis*
Prospective Studies
Trace Elements*
Young Adult

Substances

Trace Elements