The Effect of Interferon Beta-1b and Methylprednisolone Treatment on
the Serum Trace Elements in Iraqi
Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
994-998
Correspondence
Dr. Mohammed A. Al-Zubaidi.
Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Pharmacy,
Al-Mustansiriya University, Baghdad, Iraq.
Objective: To study the trace element levels and the effect of methylprednisolone and interferon beta-1b on these levels in the serum of patients with multiple sclerosis.
Methods: This study was conducted on 32 patients who received methylprednisolone, 32 patients who received interferon beta-1b and on 32 patients who received no treatment at the Multiple Sclerosis Center, Baghdad Teaching hospital, Baghdad, Iraq, from December 2010 to September 2011. In addition to these, 32 age and gender matched healthy controls too were studied for the same parameters. The serum levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) were analyzed by using flame and flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometer.
Results: There was a significant decrease in the mean serum levels of both zinc and selenium in both the groups of patients which received the treatment as compared to the patients who received no treatment and the control groups. The serum level of copper was found to increase significantly in the patient groups as compared to that in the controls, and there was also a significant increase in the serum level of copper in the patients who received Methylprednisolone as compared to that in the patients who received no treatment.. There was no significant increase in its level in the patients who received interferon beta-1b as compared to that in the patients who received no treatment.
Conclusion: Methylprednisolone and interferon beta-1b treatments affect the serum levels of zinc, copper and selenium in patients with multiple sclerosis.