The Relationship between Levels of Serum Metal Ions and Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND: To explore the relationship of serum metal ions and Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) staging scale and other related rating scales were performed to evaluate the severity of PD patients. Substantia nigra (SN) volume was measured by sensitivity weighted imaging (SWI), and the levels of Fe, Cu, Zn, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum were detected at the same time. The results were analyzed and compared to healthy control group. RESULTS: In this study, 33 patients with PD and 35 healthy individuals (control group) were recruited. As compared to the control group, the levels of serum Fe and Cu were significantly increased, whereas the levels of Zn and SOD were significantly decreased in the PD group. The dysosmia was correlated with the level of serum Zn, and the clinical severity was correlated with the decreased volume of SN and the level of serum SOD in PD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests a correlation between the levels of serum metal ion and PD.