Oxidative Stress, Serum Mineral and Trace Element Levels in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis with or without Restless Legs Syndrome

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune central nervous system disease characterized by inflammation, axonal demyelination and multifocal plaques. Sleep problems due to restless legs syndrome (RLS) are seen at a higher rate in MS patients than in the normal population. In MS and RLS patients, changes in oxidative stress level and liver enzyme activity and deterioration of trace element homeostasis are observed. This study was conducted to determine serum oxidative stress parameters and trace element levels in MS patients with or without RLS.
METHODS: Thirty healthy individuals (control), 30 MS patients without RLS (MS group) and 30 MS patients with RLS (MS+RLS group) were included in the study (between April 2021-January 2022). Serum oxidative stress parameters (total antioxidant and oxidant capacities, myeloperoxidase and catalase activities), some liver enzymes (malate dehydrogenase and isocitrate dehydrogenase) activities, trace element (copper, zinc and iron) and mineral (calcium, chlorine, magnesium, sodium, potassium) levels were measured.
RESULTS: There was no difference among groups in terms of oxidative stress parameters and liver enzymes (P>0.05). Serum chlorine, potassium and sodium levels were higher (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.001, respectively) in MS+RLS group compared to controls. Although zinc level was lower (P<0.05), Na+ and Cu- levels were higher (p<0.01, 0.05, respectively) in MS+RLS group compared to controls.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Based on these results, varying trace element levels may have value for early prediction of RLS in MS. In studies with larger sample sizes, changing element and liver enzyme activities in the context of oxidative stress may provide clearer information about the diagnosis of RLS.