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Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) etiology studies show that the disease is multifactorial. While genetic features are more prominent at the beginning of the disease, the existence of environmental triggers that may cause the progression of the disease is still a subject of research. Materials and. Methods: We evaluated 101 MS patients sharing the same geographical area. We performed heavy metal analysis in the blood and hair tissues of these patients. Of these patients, 67 were in the relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) group and 34 were in the progressive MS (PMS) group. Results: Samples were analyzed using the X Series 2 model (ICP MS) instrument. In hair samples, aluminum (Al) was found to be 8.98 µg/g in the PMS group and 3.01 µg/g in the RRMS group (P < 0.001). Unlike Al element, magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn) and strontium (St) elements were observed to be higher in the RRMS group. RRMS for median Ca: 931 µg/g, PMS: 400 µg/g (P < 0.001); RRMS for Mg: 118 µg/g, PMS: 50 µg/g (P < 0.001); For Co RRMS: 0.0150 µg/g, PMS: 0.0075 µg/g (P = 0.008); RRMS for Zn: 138 µg/g, PMS: 101 µg/g (P = 0.008); For St RRMS: 4.76 µg/g, PMS: 3.70 µg/g (P = 0.008). With these results, we thought that Al excess or Mg, Ca, Co, and Zn deficiencies might be associated with MS progression. The mercury (Hg) blood level was slightly low in PMS. This finding was not correlated with hair samples (P = 0.047). The relationship between blood Hg level and RRMS should be evaluated separately. Conclusion: We could not find any study comparing PMS forms and RRMS subtypes in terms of heavy metals. In particular, it is necessary to focus on the Al element. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the majority of the world population medicinal plants represent the primary source of the health care. Therefore determining the content of heavy metals, accumulated in medicinal plants, is of high importance. Thus, the purpose of this research was to evaluate the content of heavy metals and two metalloids in selected medicinal plants (Matricaria chamomilla L., Melissa officinalis L., Mentha piperita L. and Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), that are traditionally used in alternative medicine. The plant materials were collected in a highly industrialized town (Pančevo). Plant analyses were done according to ICP methodology. The obtained results show that the contents of the potentially toxic elements in the investigated medicinal plant species were below the recommended limits and those medicinal plants from the studied growing site are suitable for preparation of teas and medicinal extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]