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Serum levels of heavy metals in patients with Bell’s palsy: a case–control study

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Abstract

Purpose

The exact etiology of Bell’s palsy (BP) remains unknown, while its potential etiopathology includes neuritis and inflammation-related demyelination as in optic neuritis. It has been reported that disruption of heavy metal homeostasis may be associated with the inflammatory process of optic neuritis; therefore, heavy metals may be involved in the pathogenesis of facial nerve neuritis. In this study, we aimed to investigate serum levels of heavy metals including essential elements [iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), and manganese (Mn)], and nonessential elements [lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd)] in patients with BP.

Methods

The study included 25 patients with BP and 31 healthy volunteers. For each participant, serum levels of essential and nonessential elements were measured using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer method.

Results

Serum levels of essential elements were significantly lower in the patient group compared to the control group (p < 0.001, for each). Serum levels of Pb increased in the patient group compared to the control group although no significant difference was achieved (p = 0.105). In contrast, serum Cd levels increased significantly in the patient group compared to the control group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that decreased essential and increased nonessential elements may be associated with BP and thus, serum concentrations of these elements should be taken into account in BP. Studies are warranted to determine the role of these elements in treatment of BP.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical Faculty, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Van, 65090, Turkey

    Nazim Bozan, Koray Avcı, Ömer Erdağ & Mahfuz Turan

  2. Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medical Faculty, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Van, Turkey

    Ömer Faruk Koçak & Canser Yılmaz Demir

  3. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Van, Turkey

    Halit Demir

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  1. Nazim Bozan
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Correspondence to Nazim Bozan.

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The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval

This study was carried out at our Department of Otolaryngology between January 2016 and November 2016. The Local Ethics Committee approved the study protocol (Decision No: 03; Date: November 19, 2015), and written informed consent was obtained from each participant.

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Bozan, N., Koçak, Ö.F., Demir, C.Y. et al. Serum levels of heavy metals in patients with Bell’s palsy: a case–control study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 281, 891–896 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-023-08253-w

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