32 research outputs found
Elevated Serum Ferritin Is Associated with Reduced Survival in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the loss of motor neurons. Its etiology remains unknown, but several hypothesis have been raised to explain motor neuron death, including oxidative stress. Dysregulation of cellular iron metabolism can lead to increased oxidative stress, and existing data argue for a role of iron metabolism in ALS pathophysiology.</p> <h3>Methods</h3><p>We performed a retrospective analysis of iron metabolism (IM) variables (serum levels of iron, transferrin, ferritin, and TSC for Transferrin Saturation Coefficient) in a cohort of 694 ALS patients and 297 healthy controls.</p> <h3>Results</h3><p>Serum ferritin levels and TSC were higher, whereas serum transferrin levels were lower in ALS patients than controls. In addition, patients with a high level serum ferritin had a shorter survival time compared to those with low level serum ferritin (618 days versus 921 days for men subgroup; p = .007). Site of onset and ALS-FRS score were not associated with IM variables.</p> <h3>Conclusion</h3><p>This study suggests that ALS patients may have increased iron storage, as measured by increased serum ferritin and TSC. Elevated serum ferritin may also have a deleterious impact on survival in ALS.</p> </div
ALS-FRS scores in ALS patients according to gender and IM variables tertiles (low, medium and high levels) (means with standard deviations).
<p>For each tertile group, mean age is indicated below ALS-FRS mean value.</p
Serum ferritin levels for women according to age (< or > to 45 years old) and disease status (means with standard deviations).
<p>Serum ferritin levels for women according to age (< or > to 45 years old) and disease status (means with standard deviations).</p
IM variables levels in ALS patients according to site of onset (means with standard deviations).
<p>p values are adjusted for sex for serum iron, serum transferrin and TSC, and for sex and age for serum ferritin.</p
Survival times in ALS patients according to gender and IM variables tertiles (low, medium and high levels) (means with standard deviations, in days).
<p>For each tertile group, mean age is indicated below survival time mean value.</p
General characteristics of healthy controls and ALS populations.
<p>Three slightly different ALS populations are shown here. Among 694 ALS patients with a serum iron value available, serum transferrin values and serum ferritin values were available for 677 and 629 patients, respectively.</p
Serotonin levels in ALS and control groups.
<p>Groups were compared using Mann-Whitney test and the p-value is shown.</p
Demographic parameters in ALS and control groups.
<p>Demographic parameters in ALS and control groups.</p
Serotonin levels in ALS patients as a function of site of onset.
<p>Groups were compared using Kruskal Wallis test. *, p<0.05; **, p<0.01.</p
Correlation between platelet serotonin levels and survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
<p>Kaplan-Meyer survival curves of patients with ALS stratified according to their platelet serotonin levels. Survival was calculated as the time period between blood sampling and death. The black line represents patients with ALS having abnormal serotonin values (serotonin <50 ng/mL, n = 22 patients); light grey line represents patients with high normal values (serotonin >100 ng/mL i.e. median of control group, n = 25 patients), and light black line patients with borderline values (50–100 ng/mL, n = 35 patients). Group comparison shows a statistically significant difference (p = 0.024 by the log-rank).</p