title: Essential trace element alterations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
abstract: Although trace elements have been implicated in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for a long time, new evidence has connected familial ALS with the metalloenzyme copper-zinc superoxide dismutase, thus reinforcing the study of their metabolism. This work presents the results of serum and cerebrospinal fluid levels of copper, zinc, manganese and magnesium, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Statistically significant decreased cerebrospinal fluid and serum copper levels were found in patients compared to the control group (20.25 +/- 7.09 vs. 30.86 +/- 16.02 SD micrograms/l and 913.21 +/- 165.55 vs. 1020.17 +/- 197.76 SD micrograms/l) while serum manganese levels were found to be increased in patients (3.59 +/- 0.89 SD micrograms/l) compared to controls (3.03 +/- 1.23 SD micrograms/l). Zinc and magnesium levels were unchanged. Our findings indicate an essential trace element imbalance in the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology (Research Laboratory), Athens National University, Eginition Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kapaki
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zournas
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kanias
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zambelis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kakami
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Papageorgiou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000201:enzymology; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008297:Male; D008345:Manganese / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008875:Middle Aged; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements; D008345:Manganese; D003300:Copper; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D008274:Magnesium; D015032:Zinc