Elevated urinary excretion of aluminium and iron in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, immune-mediated, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system of as yet unknown aetiology. A consensus of opinion has suggested that the disorder is the result of an interplay between environmental factors and susceptibility genes. We have used a battery of analytical techniques to determine if the urinary excretion of i) markers of oxidative damage; ii) iron and iii) the environmental toxin aluminium and its antagonist, silicon, are altered in relapsing-remitting (RRMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS). Urinary concentrations of oxidative biomarkers, MDA and TBARS, were not found to be useful indicators of inflammatory disease in MS. However, urinary concentrations of another potential marker for inflammation and oxidative stress, iron, were significantly increased in SPMS (P<0.01) and insignificantly increased in RRMS (P>0.05). Urinary concentrations of aluminium were also significantly increased in RRMS (P<0.001) and SPMS (P <0.05) such that the levels of aluminium excretion in the former were similar to those observed in individuals undergoing metal chelation therapy. The excretion of silicon was lower in MS and significantly so in SPMS (P<0.05). Increased excretion of iron in urine supported a role for iron dysmetabolism in MS. Levels of urinary aluminium excretion similar to those seen in aluminium intoxication suggested that aluminium may be a hitherto unrecognized environmental factor associated with the aetiology of MS. If aluminium is involved in MS then an increased dietary intake of its natural antagonist, silicon, might be a therapeutic option.

A case of multiple sclerosis improvement following removal of heavy metal intoxication

“…Indeed, it is difficult to show increase in the metal content in blood, following an old exposition. Previously, elevated urinary excretion of aluminium and iron in patients affected by MS has been demonstrated, whilst increased levels of biomarkers of oxidative damage (malondialdehyde and 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances) were not found (Exley et al 2006). The increase of aluminium excretion appeared similar to that associated with aluminium-chelation therapy with desferrioxamine (Ott et al 1986).…”

Long-term persistence of vaccine-derived aluminum hydroxide is associated with chronic cognitive dysfunction

“…In addition, an increased body burden of aluminum has been reported in both CFS patients [38] and MS patients [39], and more recently in a single patient with MMF [40]. In animals, absorption of aluminum from i.m.…”

Trace elements in cerebrospinal fluid and blood from patients with a rare progressive central and peripheral demyelinating disease

“…A limited number of studies have been published on the possible role of trace elements in MS [20,[27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]. Melø et al [20] found increased Cu levels and decreased Mn in CSF in MS patients compared to controls, and no differences were found for Zn.…”