The Relationship between Blood Lead Levels and Clinical Features among Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Lead (Pb) is one of the most likely toxicants that could be potentially a risk factor in the development of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) through changes in the immune system. The purpose of the study was to describe the clinical features of MS in general and for sub-groups stratified for gender, age, residence, disease duration, disability degree, clinical diagnosis in Isfahan, Iran and also, to elucidate the relationship between the blood Pb level and the development of MS. Blood samples of 48 patients (20 to 57 years) were selected from the department of neurology of the Kashani hospital in Isfahan, Iran and were analyzed for Pb using anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). The clinical and demographic characteristics in our study were similar to those in other reports. The blood Pb level in 70.83% of the total population was <20 μg/l. No statistically significant difference was observed between the Pb level and some patient characteristics. These findings did not support the assumption that Pb could be a pathogenetic factor in MS. However, the exposure to a large amount of Pb can increase the risk of developing MS. Obviously; more investigation is needed to investigate the contribution of Pb to the development of MS.

Keywords

• Multiple sclerosis (MS), Blood, Lead (Pb), Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV), Isfahan