Homocysteine as a Predictor Tool in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive and irreversible disease which affects the central nervous system (CNS) with still unknown etiology. Our study aimes to establish the homocysteine pattern that can predict the MS diseases progression and to identify a potential disease progression marker that can be easy to perform and non-invasive, in order to predict the diseases outcome. In order to achieve this goal, we included 10 adult RRMS subjects, 10 adult SPMS subjects and 10 age-matched healthy subjects. The homocysteine plasma level was measured using automated latex enhanced immunoassay and the cobalamin and folate measurements were performed using automated chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA). HCR was calculated by dividing the homocysteine plasma level by cobalamin plasma level. We found that the homocysteine level in plasma of both RRMS patients and SPMS group are significantly increased compared with the control group. There is a significantly higher concentration of homocysteine in SPMS group compared with the RRMS group. In addition, the HCR is significantly increased in SPMS compared with the RRMS group and is a very good index of disease severity.

Download Full-text

Comparison of the Position Sense of the Knee Joint in PatientsWith Multiple Sclerosis and Healthy Controls

Journal of Modern Rehabilitation ◽

10.18502/jmr.v13i1.2147 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Saina Aliabadi ◽

Roya Khanmohammadi ◽

Gholamrezareza Olyaei ◽

Nastaran Ghotbi ◽

Saeed Talebian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Nervous System ◽

Knee Joint ◽

Healthy Subjects ◽

Position Sense ◽

The Body ◽

Control Group ◽

The Central Nervous System ◽

The Mean ◽

The Brain

Introduction: Position sense, one of the most accurate senses in the body, makes everyone aware of the state of the body in space. This sense is an essential ability in maintaining physical health and avoiding injury. Deficits in position sense cause balance impairments in people with mild Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Position sense requires instant and coordinated communication between the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system, while in patients with MS, communication between the brain and other parts of the body is disrupted. This study aims to compare the position sense of knee joint in people with MS and healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: Ten healthy subjects with the Mean±SD age of 27.6±3.71 years and 10 persons with MS disease and the Mean±SD age of 31.40±3.50 years participated in this study. For evaluating their position sense of knee joint, they flexed their knees (from 90 to 45 degrees) four times, and then a software calculated their repositioning errors. Results: No significant changes in repositioning errors (constant, variable, absolute) were observed in MS patients, and the control group (P˃0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that mild MS disease cannot disturb the position sense of knee joint.

Download Full-text

Association of Serum Homocysteine Level and Interstitial Lung Disease in Systemic Sclerosis: A Case-control Study

Current Rheumatology Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573397114666180628162907 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 74-78

Author(s):

Mohammadali Nazarinia ◽

Asghar Zare ◽

Mohammad javad Fallahi ◽

Mesbah Shams

Keyword(s):

Systemic Sclerosis ◽

Healthy Subjects ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Homocysteine Level ◽

Case Control ◽

Control Group ◽

Lung Involvement ◽

Serum Homocysteine ◽

The Mean ◽

Control Study

Background:Systemic sclerosis is a disorder of connective tissue with unknown cause, affecting the skin and internal organs, characterized by fibrotic changes.Objective:To determine the correlation between serum homocysteine level and interstitial lung involvement in systemic sclerosis. </P><P> Materials and Methods: In this case – control study, 59 patients who fulfilled the ACR/EULAR classification criteria for systemic sclerosis and were referred to Hafez Hospital of Shiraz, Iran, were included as the case group. Fifty nine healthy subjects were involved as the control group. Patients were divided into two groups based on interstitial lung involvement and two subtypes, diffuse and limited type. Serum homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate levels compared between the controls, and cases groups.Results:Of 59 case and control group, 53 (%89.8) were female and the mean age did not differ in both groups (P=0.929). Thirty five (%59.3) patients had interstitial lung involvement and 38(%64.4) had diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. The mean serum homocysteine level was 13.9±6.3 µmol/L in the case and 13.7±9.2 µmol/L in the control group (P=0.86). The mean serum homocysteine level did not differ between the patients with and without interstitial lung involvement (P=0.52). The patients with lung involvement was older than those without lung involvement (P=0.004). Lung disease was more common in diffuse type (P=0.014).Conclusion:In our study, serum homocysteine level did not differ between the patients and healthy subjects. Also, there was no correlation between serum homocysteine level and lung involvement, but lung involvement was more common in older patients and also diffuse subtype.

Download Full-text

Validation and cross-cultural adaptation of sexual dysfunction modified scale in multiple sclerosis for Brazilian population

Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria ◽

10.1590/0004-282x20150078 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 73 (8) ◽

pp. 681-687 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Raquel Ataíde Peres da Silva ◽

Guilherme Sciascia do Olival ◽

Lívia Palma Stievano ◽

Vania Balardin Toller ◽

Sergio Semeraro Jordy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Cultural Adaptation ◽

Chronic Inflammatory Disease ◽

Cross Cultural ◽

Brazilian Population ◽

Control Group ◽

Cross Cultural Adaptation ◽

The Central Nervous System ◽

The Impact

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). These patients suffer from various comorbidities, including sexual dysfunction (SD). The lesions of MS may affect regions of the CNS along the pathway of sexual response. The Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19 (MSISQ-19) is a scale that assesses sexual dysfunction. Adapt and validate the MSISQ-19 to Brazilian patients with MS. 204 individuals were evaluated, 134 patients with MS and 70 healthy persons for the control group. It was determined reproducibility, validity, internal consistency and sensitivity of the MSISQ-19-BR. Among patients with MS, 54.3% of male and 71.7% of female presented some kind of SD. In the control group the results were 12.5% and 19.5%, respectively. The MSISQ-19-BR is reproducible, reliable and valid for the Brazilian population and may be used as a tool for assessing the impact of sexual dysfunction in patients with MS.

Download Full-text

Vitamin D Immunomodulatory Potential in Multiple Sclerosis

Folia Medica ◽

10.2478/folmed-2013-0011 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 55 (2) ◽

pp. 5-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Georgi S. Slavov ◽

Anastasiya G. Trenova ◽

Mariya G. Manova ◽

Ivanka I. Kostadinova ◽

Tonka V. Vasileva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Clinical Studies ◽

Short Interval ◽

Unknown Etiology ◽

Vitamin D Metabolism ◽

Social Burden ◽

25 Hydroxy Vitamin D ◽

The Central Nervous System ◽

Immunomodulatory Potential

ABSTRACT Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of unknown etiology whose treatment is of limited efficiency and therefore has a high social burden. As it has been suggested that myelin destruction model, the clinical manifestation and the potential of therapeutic response in MS are correlated, it is quite justifiable that we study various factors (genetic, hormonal, environmental) that take part in the autoimmune process in order to improve the control over the disrupted immune regulation. Results from epidemiological and clinical studies clearly suggest that changes in vitamin D serum concentrations are correlated with the magnitude of the risk of developing MS, the phases of relapse and remittance and with gender differences in vitamin D metabolism. Experimental and clinical studies also have established that 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) and 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) exert an immunomodulatory effect in the central nervous system and peripheral organs of the immune system. The standard reference range of vitamin D concentration in serum is 50-80 nmol/l - it provides normal calcium metabolism. Issues that are discussed include the vitamin D serum concentration needed to suppress the aberrant immune response in MS patients; a subgroup of MS patients suitable for vitamin D treatment, the vitamin D being applied in optimally effective and safe dosage. MS prevalence rate in Bulgaria has increased two-fold in 17 years but this is a rather short interval to be able to assume that the gene pool of the population changes. Thus further studies on possible interactions between different environmental factors and these factors’ role in the disease pathogenesis are justified and necessary.

Download Full-text

A Randomized Control Trial Study to Determine the Effect of Melatonin on Serum Levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Iranian Journal of Allergy Asthma and Immunology ◽

10.18502/ijaai.v18i6.2177 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Masoomeh Yosefifard ◽

Gholamhassan Vaezi ◽

Ali Akbar Malekirad ◽

Fardin Faraji ◽

Vida Hojati

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Interleukin 1 ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Inflammatory Factors ◽

Control Group ◽

Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Central Nervous System

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurological disease that happens at a young age. MS is an inflammatory disease; associated with the demyelination of the central nervous system. Therefore, some inflammatory factors are effective in the mechanism and progression of the disease. Melatonin, as a multi-effect substance including anti-inflammatory effects, can reduce symptoms of MS in patients with a change in their inflammatory factors level. In this study, 50 MS patients who were referred to the MS Society of Markazi Province were randomly selected. All patients were treated with routine MS treatment (interferon) and were divided into control (25 placebo recipients) and treatment (25 recipients of 3 mg melatonin per day for 24 weeks) groups. Anthropometric data of patients including height, weight, and age were determined. Blood samples were collected after fasting in order to determine serum levels of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Then, samples were immediately centrifuged for serum separation and sera were transferred to a freezer at -80°C and serum levels of these factors were determined; using ELISA kit. The results of this study showed that there was no significant difference between the control and treatment groups in terms of serum levels of TNF-α. However, the level of IL-1β was significantly reduced in the treatment group compared to the control group, indicating that melatonin decreases this inflammatory substance. Our findings suggest a valuable strategy in the treatment of patients who suffer from MS

Download Full-text

Anxiety as one of the factors determining the rate of multiple sclerosis progressing

Neurology Bulletin ◽

10.17816/nb79470 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol XXXII (3-4) ◽

pp. 5-9

Author(s):

A. A. Skorometz ◽

L. G. Zaslavsky

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Healthy Subjects ◽

Early Stage ◽

Control Group ◽

Reactive Anxiety ◽

Multiple Sclerosis Patients ◽

Working Out

Results of psychologic examination of 61 patient with multiple sclerosis diagnosed by Poser criteria are described. In most part of patients an increased level of both egocentric and reactive anxiety in comparison with findings of control group of healthy subjects and group of patients with some other neurologic pathology is with certainty determined. It is found that multiple sclerosis in patients with intense egocentric (congenital) anxiety is taking more malignant course. It is concluded that conducting psychologic testing of multiple sclerosis patients on the early stage for probable assessment of the further course of the disease and working out of more individual tactics of treatment is expedient.

Download Full-text

Blood serum amino acids profile in patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Current Issues in Pharmacy and Medical Sciences ◽

10.12923/j.2084-980x/26.1/a.10 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 50-53

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Amino Acids ◽

Central Nervous System ◽

Nervous System ◽

Blood Serum ◽

Demyelinating Disease ◽

Initial Step ◽

Control Group ◽

The Central Nervous System ◽

Amino Acids Profile

Multiple sclerosis is the most common demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, affecting mostly young people. There were many risk factors for MS identified, however a direct cause of the disease is still unknown. Pathological changes in the SM lead to the myelin sheath damage around axons, what prevents proper transmission of nerve impulses in the central nervous system. The aim of this study was analyzing and comparing the amino acids profile in the blood serum of MS patients to control group of healthy individuals and evaluating the relationship between them. Significant (p<0.05) differences in the level of glutamate, aspartate and taurine in the blood serum of MS patients were revealed. A positive glutamate and aspartate level correlation in the serum has been demonstrated. Gender is significant only in the case of glutamate level in blood serum. The studies highlight the important role of neurotransmitters in MS and are the initial step in proteomic research.

Download Full-text

Cerebrospinal fluid analysis in 108 patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

10.21203/rs.3.rs-45609/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nora Möhn ◽

Luo Yi ◽

Thomas Skripuletz ◽

Philipp Schwenkenbecher ◽

Anne Ladwig ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy ◽

Cell Count ◽

Normal Pressure ◽

Control Group ◽

Fluid Analysis ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

The Central Nervous System ◽

Insight Into

Abstract Background: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is caused by an opportunistic infection with JC polyoma virus (JCPyV) and mainly affects immunocompromised patients. It leads to pronounced demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS) resulting in severe disability or even death. Detection of JCPyV DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is usually accepted as proof for the diagnosis of PML. Routine CSF parameters, like CSF cell count, protein concentration, Qalbumin, or intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis are mostly considered normal. However, this has not been investigated systematically. Methods: We analyzed routine CSF parameters in a cohort of 108 PML patients that were treated at four different neurological centers in Germany. The patients exhibited different underlying conditions with natalizumab-treated multiple sclerosis (n=54) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infection (n=25) being the most frequent. The data were collected at the respective centers in accordance with local requirements and then jointly analyzed. The total PML cohort was compared with a control group of patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Multiple sclerosis and HIV patients were additionally compared with their own non-PML control groups. Results: The PML group showed an elevated cell count (p<0.001) compared to the control group, however, this effect was mainly driven by HIV-PML patients. This subgroup also demonstrated a significantly higher proportion of patients with a disturbed blood-CSF-barrier function. Conclusions: This comprehensive, retrospective study on CSF diagnostic analysis in PML patients provides insight into the CSF of those patients. It demonstrates that CSF composition in PML patients may be specific for the underlying condition that predisposes for the development of PML and thus data have to be interpreted in this context.

Download Full-text

Nitrosative Stress Molecules in Multiple Sclerosis: A Meta-Analysis

Biomedicines ◽

10.3390/biomedicines9121899 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 1899

Author(s):

Moritz Förster ◽

Christopher Nelke ◽

Saskia Räuber ◽

Hans Lassmann ◽

Tobias Ruck ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Nitrosative Stress ◽

Neurological Diseases ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Unknown Etiology ◽

Immune Mediated ◽

Pubmed Database ◽

The Central Nervous System ◽

Nitrite Nitrate

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system of unknown etiology. As it is still a diagnosis of exclusion, there is an urgent need for biomarkers supporting its diagnosis. Increasing evidence suggests that nitrosative stress may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of MS. However, previous reports supporting the role of nitrosative stress molecules as disease biomarkers are inconsistent overall. We therefore systematically analyzed the existing literature to compare the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of nitrite/nitrate in MS patients with those in patients with noninflammatory other neurological diseases (NIOND) and healthy controls (HC), respectively. We searched the PubMed database and included original articles investigating nitrite/nitrate levels in MS patients and NIOND patients or HC based on predefined selection criteria. Effect sizes were estimated by the standardized mean difference using a random effects model. Our results suggest that MS is associated with higher nitrite/nitrate levels within the CSF compared with patients with NIOND (SMD of 1.51; 95% CI: 0.72, 2.30; p = 0.0008). Likewise, nitrite/nitrate in the CSF of MS patients trends towards increased levels compared with those of HC but does not reach statistical significance (SMD of 3.35; 95% CI: −0.48, 7.19; p = 0.07). Measurement of nitrite/nitrate in the CSF might be a valuable tool facilitating the differentiation of MS and NIOND. Further studies with more homogeneous study criteria are needed to corroborate this hypothesis.

Download Full-text

Longitudinal analysis reveals high prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus associated with multiple sclerosis

Science ◽

10.1126/science.abj8222 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Kjetil Bjornevik ◽

Marianna Cortese ◽

Brian C. Healy ◽

Jens Kuhle ◽

Michael J. Mina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Epstein Barr Virus ◽

Demyelinating Disease ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Unknown Etiology ◽

Neurofilament Light Chain ◽

Neurofilament Light ◽

Barr Virus ◽

The Central Nervous System ◽

Epstein Barr

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system of unknown etiology. We tested the hypothesis that MS is caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in a cohort comprising more than 10 million young adults on active duty in the US military, 955 of whom were diagnosed with MS during their period of service. Risk of MS increased 32-fold after infection with EBV but was not increased after infection with other viruses, including the similarly transmitted cytomegalovirus. Serum levels of neurofilament light chain, a biomarker of neuroaxonal degeneration, increased only after EBV seroconversion. These findings cannot be explained by any known risk factor for MS and suggest EBV as the leading cause of MS.

Download Full-text