Searching for the Relationship between the Concentration of Heavy Metals in the Blood and the Clinical Course of Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Study in Poland

Anna Knyszyńska, Karolina Skonieczna-Żydecka, Dorota Koziarska, Laura Stachowska, Artur Kotwas, Monika Kulaszyńska, Anna Lubkowska and Beata Karakiewicz
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Anna Knyszyńska: Department of Functional Diagnostics and Physical Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland
Karolina Skonieczna-Żydecka: Department of Biochemical Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Broniewskiego 24, 71-460 Szczecin, Poland
Dorota Koziarska: Department of Neurology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Unii Lubelskiej 1, 72-252 Szczecin, Poland
Laura Stachowska: Department of Biochemical Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Broniewskiego 24, 71-460 Szczecin, Poland
Artur Kotwas: Subdepartment of Social Medicine and Public Health, Department of Social Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Żołnierska 48, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland
Monika Kulaszyńska: Department of Biochemical Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Broniewskiego 24, 71-460 Szczecin, Poland
Anna Lubkowska: Department of Functional Diagnostics and Physical Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland
Beata Karakiewicz: Subdepartment of Social Medicine and Public Health, Department of Social Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Żołnierska 48, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 11, 1-11

Abstract: (1) Background: Of all environmental pollutants, heavy metals have the most detrimental effect on public health because they remain in the ecosystem and are not biodegradable. The neurotoxicity of heavy metals, including cadmium and lead, has been well documented, and blood levels of heavy metals serve as a biomarker of exposure, reflecting their content in soft tissues. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common chronic neurodegenerative diseases. The pathogenesis of MS is complex and relies on the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. The aim of this study was to search for the relationship between the values of cadmium and lead concentration in the blood and the health history and functional status of patients with MS. (2) Methods: The study group consisted of 151 patients with a clinical diagnosis of MS. Determination of the presence of tested elements in serum was performed using an ELAN DRC-e ICP mass spectrometer. (3) Results: Statistical analysis demonstrated that an increase in the level of cadmium was accompanied by an increase in the level of lead. There was no significant correlation between the blood lead concentration and the functional status assessed by EDSS among patients with MS in Poland. However, a tendency towards worse functional status of patients with higher blood lead concentration ( p = 0.07) was demonstrated. Patients who experienced first MS symptoms at older age had higher blood levels of the tested metals. (4) Conclusions: The concentrations of cadmium and lead in the blood of MS patients in Poland were not factors differentiating their functional status and the course of the disease.

Keywords: heavy metals; cadmium; lead; environmental factors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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