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Doskas T, Dardiotis E, Vavougios GD, Ntoskas KT, Sionidou P, Vadikolias K. Stroke risk in multiple sclerosis: a critical appraisal of the literature. Int J Neurosci 2023; 133:1132-1152. [PMID: 35369835 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2022.2056459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Observational studies suggest that the occurrence of stroke on multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is higher compared to the general population. MS is a heterogeneous disease that involves an interplay of genetic, environmental and immune factors. The occurrence of stroke is subject to a wide range of both modifiable and non-modifiable, short- and long-term risk factors. Both MS and stroke share common risk factors. The immune mechanisms that underlie stroke are similar to neurodegenerative diseases and are attributed to neuroinflammation. The inflammation in autoimmune diseases may, therefore, predispose to an increased risk for stroke or potentiate the effect of conventional stroke risk factors. There are, however, additional determinants that contribute to a higher risk and incidence of stroke in MS. Due to the challenges that are associated with their differential diagnosis, the objective is to present an overview of the factors that may contribute to increased susceptibility or occurrence of stroke in MSpatients by performing a review of the available to date literature. As both MS and stroke can individually detrimentally affect the quality of life of afflicted patients, the identification of factors that contribute to an increased risk for stroke in MS is crucial for the prompt implementation of preventative therapeutic measures to limit the additive burden that stroke imposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Triantafyllos Doskas
- Department of Neurology, Athens Naval Hospital, Athens, Greece
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Efthimios Dardiotis
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
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Rademacher TD, Meuth SG, Wiendl H, Johnen A, Landmeyer NC. Molecular biomarkers and cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: State of the field, limitations, and future direction - A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 146:105035. [PMID: 36608917 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with cognitive impairment (CI) such as slowed information processing speed (IPS). Currently, no immunocellular or molecular markers have been established in cerebrospinal fluid and serum analysis as surrogate biomarkers with diagnostic or predictive value for the development of CI. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to sum up the evidence regarding currently discussed markers for CI in MS. METHODS A literature search was conducted on molecular biomarkers of CI in MS, such as neurofilament light chain, chitinases, and vitamin D. RESULTS 5543 publications were screened, of which 77 entered the systematic review. 13 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Neurofilament light chain (CSF: rp = -0.294, p = 0.003; serum: rp = -0.137, p = 0.001) and serum levels of vitamin D (rp = 0.190, p = 0.014) were associated with IPS outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Neurofilament light chain and vitamin D are promising biomarkers to track impairments in IPS in MS. Further longitudinal research is needed to establish the use of molecular biomarkers to monitor cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sven G Meuth
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Heinz Wiendl
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Germany
| | - Andreas Johnen
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Germany
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Wang ZH, Qiao S, Wang L, Wang K, Zhang R, Jin Y, Wu HK, Liu X. Plasma lipid profiles and homocysteine levels in anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1148450. [PMID: 37122291 PMCID: PMC10133572 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1148450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction We aimed to investigate whether lipid profiles and homocysteine levels in patients with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis are related to clinical presentation and prognosis, which may contribute to further research on the pathogenesis and treatment of this disease. Methods This study included a total of 43 patients with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis and 43 sex-age-matched healthy controls. Baseline demography, clinical data, patient outcomes, and ancillary examination results were recorded. Patients were followed up every 2-3 months during the first year. The modified Rankin Scale score was used to evaluate the therapeutic effect and clinical outcome. Results Among the 43 patients included in this study, 55.81% were male, the mean age of onset was 27 years old, and the median modified Rankin Scale score on admission was 3.0. Apolipoprotein A-1 was significantly lower in patients with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis compared with healthy controls (p = 0.004). Compared with healthy controls, homocysteine (p = 0.002), apolipoprotein B (p = 0.004), Lpa (p = 0.045), and apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-1 (p = 0.001) were significantly increased in patients with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis. According to the modified Rankin Scale scores, 6 months after discharge, 72.09% of patients had a good prognosis and 27.91% had a poor prognosis. In the good prognosis group, age (p = 0.031), lipoprotein a (p = 0.023), apolipoprotein A-1 (p = 0.027) at baseline, and the modified Rankin Scale score on admission (p = 0.019) were significantly higher than those in the poor prognosis group. Conclusion This study suggests the possibility that serum lipid profile and homocysteine play an important role in the pathogenesis of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis, providing support for lipid-lowering treatment of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-hao Wang
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shan Qiao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Kemo Wang
- Department of Neurology of Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ranran Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yang Jin
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Huai-kuan Wu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Xuewu Liu
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Institute of Epilepsy, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Xuewu Liu
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4
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Singh I, Kim J, Saxena N, Choi S, Islam SMT, Singh AK, Khan M, Won J. Vascular and immunopathological role of Asymmetric Dimethylarginine (ADMA) in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis. Immunology 2021; 164:602-616. [PMID: 34310708 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor/uncoupler inducing vascular pathology. Vascular pathology is an important factor for the development and progression of CNS pathology of MS, yet the role of ADMA in MS remains elusive. Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are reported to have elevated blood levels of ADMA, and mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE, an animal model of MS) generated by auto-immunization of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption by pertussis toxin also had increased blood ADMA levels in parallel with induction of clinical disease. To explore the role of ADMA in EAE pathogenesis, EAE mice were treated with a daily dose of ADMA. It is of special interest that ADMA treatment enhanced the BBB disruption in EAE mice and exacerbated the clinical and CNS disease of EAE. ADMA treatment also induced the BBB disruption and EAE disease in MOG-immunized mice even without pertussis toxin treatment, suggesting the role of ADMA in BBB dysfunction in EAE. T-cell polarization studies also documented that ADMA treatment promotes TH 1- and TH 17-mediated immune responses but without affecting Treg-mediated immune response in EAE mice as well as in in vitro T-cell culture. Taken together, these data, for the first time, document the vascular and immunopathogenic roles of ADMA in EAE, thus pointing to the potential of ADMA-mediated mechanism as a new target of potential therapy for MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inderjit Singh
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Research Service, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Judong Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Nishant Saxena
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Seungho Choi
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - S M Touhidul Islam
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Avtar K Singh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Mushfiquddin Khan
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Jeseong Won
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Involvements of Hyperhomocysteinemia in Neurological Disorders. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11010037. [PMID: 33419180 PMCID: PMC7825518 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11010037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Homocysteine (HCY), a physiological amino acid formed when proteins break down, leads to a pathological condition called hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCY), when it is over a definite limit. It is well known that an increase in HCY levels in blood, can contribute to arterial damage and several cardiovascular disease, but the knowledge about the relationship between HCY and brain disorders is very poor. Recent studies demonstrated that an alteration in HCY metabolism or a deficiency in folate or vitamin B12 can cause altered methylation and/or redox potentials, that leads to a modification on calcium influx in cells, or into an accumulation in amyloid and/or tau protein involving a cascade of events that culminate in apoptosis, and, in the worst conditions, neuronal death. The present review will thus summarize how much is known about the possible role of HHCY in neurodegenerative disease.
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Dubchenko E, Ivanov A, Spirina N, Smirnova N, Melnikov M, Boyko A, Gusev E, Kubatiev A. Hyperhomocysteinemia and Endothelial Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10090637. [PMID: 32947812 PMCID: PMC7564574 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10090637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial dysfunction is recognized as one of the leading factors in the pathogenesis of diseases of the central nervous system of various etiologies. Numerous studies have shown the role of hyperhomocysteinemia in the development of endothelial dysfunction and the prothrombogenic state. The most important condition in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) is a dysregulation of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and transendothelial leukocyte migration. It has been proven that homocysteine also contributes to the damage of neurons by the mechanism of excitotoxicity and the induction of the apoptosis of neurons. These processes can be one of the factors of neurodegenerative brain damage, which plays a leading role in the progression of MS. This review describes the pleiotropic effect of homocysteine on these processes and its role in MS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Dubchenko
- Department of Neuroimmunology of Federal Center of Brain and Neurotechnology of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (E.D.); (N.S.); (A.B.)
- Interdistrict Department of Multiple Sclerosis at the State Clinical Hospital VV Veresaeva, 127644 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander Ivanov
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology”, 125315 Moscow, Russia; (A.I.); (A.K.)
| | - Natalia Spirina
- Department of Nervous Diseases with Medical Genetics and Neurosurgery Yaroslavl State Medical University, 150000 Yaroslavl, Russia;
| | - Nina Smirnova
- Department of Neuroimmunology of Federal Center of Brain and Neurotechnology of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (E.D.); (N.S.); (A.B.)
- Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Medical Genetic of Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Mikhail Melnikov
- Department of Neuroimmunology of Federal Center of Brain and Neurotechnology of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (E.D.); (N.S.); (A.B.)
- Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Medical Genetic of Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, National Research Center Institute of Immunology of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, 115478 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-926-331-8946
| | - Alexey Boyko
- Department of Neuroimmunology of Federal Center of Brain and Neurotechnology of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (E.D.); (N.S.); (A.B.)
- Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Medical Genetic of Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Evgeniy Gusev
- Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Medical Genetic of Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Aslan Kubatiev
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology”, 125315 Moscow, Russia; (A.I.); (A.K.)
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Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. We review the two core MS features, myelin instability, fragmentation, and remyelination failure, and dominance of pathogenic CD4+ Th17 cells over protective CD4+ Treg cells. To better understand myelin pathology, we describe myelin biosynthesis, structure, and function, then highlight stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) in nervonic acid biosynthesis and nervonic acid's contribution to myelin stability. Noting that vitamin D deficiency decreases SCD in the periphery, we propose it also decreases SCD in oligodendrocytes, disrupting the nervonic acid supply and causing myelin instability and fragmentation. To better understand the distorted Th17/Treg cell balance, we summarize Th17 cell contributions to MS pathogenesis, then highlight how 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 signaling from microglia to CD4+ T cells restores Treg cell dominance. This signaling rapidly increases flux through the methionine cycle, removing homocysteine, replenishing S-adenosyl-methionine, and improving epigenetic marking. Noting that DNA hypomethylation and inappropriate DRB1*1501 expression were observed in MS patient CD4+ T cells, we propose that vitamin D deficiency thwarts epigenetic downregulation of DRB1*1501 and Th17 cell signature genes, and upregulation of Treg cell signature genes, causing dysregulation within the CD4+ T cell compartment. We explain how obesity reduces vitamin D status, and how estrogen and vitamin D collaborate to promote Treg cell dominance in females. Finally, we discuss the implications of this new knowledge concerning myelin and the Th17/Treg cell balance, and advocate for efforts to address the global epidemics of obesity and vitamin D deficiency in the expectation of reducing the impact of MS.
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Multiple sclerosis and intracellular cobalamin defect ( MMACHC/ PRDX1) comorbidity in a young male. Mol Genet Metab Rep 2020; 22:100560. [PMID: 32099815 PMCID: PMC7026611 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgmr.2019.100560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Methylmalonic acidaemia with homocystinuria type C (cblC defect) is an inherited error of cobalamin metabolism. Cobalamin deficient processing results in high levels of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine. The latter is considered to be a risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS). We report on the first case of a patient with comorbid cblC defect and MS. Case report This young male presented at the age of 14 with a relapsing-remitting neurological disorder associated with imaging alterations suggestive of MS. Treatment resulted in a partial clinical improvement with vanishing of white matter lesions. Later on, the emergence of unexpected clinical features led to a metabolic work-up, revealing a cobalamin intracellular defect. Genetic analysis disclosed a single variant in MMACHC (c.482G > A; p.Arg161Gln) and another splicing variant in PRDX1 (c.1-515G > T) that cause the silencing of the wild-type MMACHC allele, so confirming the diagnosis of cblC defect. Although cblC treatment was effective, when 17-year-old he experienced a relapse of neurological symptoms. Further imaging and laboratory studies eventually supported the diagnosis of MS. Discussion While the comorbid association of MS and cblC in our patient may remain anecdotic, we suggest measuring Hcy and MMA levels in young patients with a relapsing-remitting demyelinating disorder, in order not to miss a cblC defect, that requires a specific and effective treatment.
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Li X, Yuan J, Han J, Hu W. Serum levels of Homocysteine, Vitamin B12 and Folate in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: an Updated Meta-Analysis. Int J Med Sci 2020; 17:751-761. [PMID: 32218697 PMCID: PMC7085269 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.42058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating and disabling inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. MS is triggered by complex environmental factors which mostly affect genetically the susceptible young people. Emerging data has suggested that changes of homocysteine (Hcy), Vitamin B12 and folate serum levels may be associated with MS. However, previous findings are not always consistent. Methods: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationships between MS and Hcy, Vitamin B12 and folate with updated available data (until September, 2019). The diagnosis of MS was performed based on international criteria for the diagnosis of MS, including magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid tests. We searched the databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and ScienceDirect. After data collection, separate analyses based on random-effect models were used to test for relationships between MS and Hcy, Vitamin B12 or folate blood levels. The effective sizes were estimated by the combined standardized mean difference (SMD) and associated 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Based on the inclusion criteria, a total of 21 original studies with 1738 MS patients and 1424 controls were included in this study. There were 17 studies for measuring Hcy, 16 studies for measuring Vitamin B12 and 13 studies for measuring folate in patients with MS, respectively. Specifically, patients with MS had higher serum levels of Hcy (SMD: 0.64; 95% CI:0.33, 0.95; P <0.0001) compared with control groups. There were no significant differences of SMD for Vitamin B12 (SMD: -0.08; 95% CI: -0.35, 0.20; P=0.58) or folate (SMD: 0.07; 95% CI: -0.14, 0.28; P=0.52) between MS and controls. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that there was statistically significant difference for Hcy between relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients and controls with a SMD of 0.67 (95% CI: 0.21, 1.13; P=0.004). However, no significant difference of Hcy serum levels between secondary progressive MS patients or primary progressive MS patients and controls was noted in this study. In addition, there was no significant difference of Hcy levels in females (SMD: 0.22; 95% CI: -0.16, 0.60; P=0.25) or males (SMD: 0.56; 95% CI: -0.13, 1.26; P=0.11) between MS patients and controls. Conclusions: Higher serum levels of Hcy were noted in patients with MS when compared with control groups. And the difference was especially significant between RRMS patients and controls. Hcy may play an important role in the pathogenesis of MS. Functional studies are required to assess the effects of Hcy on patients with MS at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanting Li
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100020, Beijing, China
| | - Junliang Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100020, Beijing, China
| | - Jinming Han
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Wenli Hu
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100020, Beijing, China
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Pan L, Yin Y, Chen J, Ma Z, Chen Y, Deng X, Zhang HT, Leng H, Wu K. Homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate levels in patients with multiple sclerosis in Chinese population: A case-control study and meta-analysis. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2019; 36:101395. [PMID: 31521916 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2019.101395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current studies suggested discrepancies on the correlations between multiple sclerosis (MS) and blood levels of homocysteine (Hcy), vitamin B12 (VB12), and folate. We performed a case-control study and meta-analysis to help resolve the controversy of these lab values in Chinese patients with MS. METHODS We recruited 80 Chinese MS patients, 86 age/sex matched neurological controls (patients with peripheral vertigo or sleep disorders), and 80 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Serum Hcy levels were measured using flourimetric high-performance liquid chromatography, serum levels of VB12 and folate using immune assay. A literature search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and SinoMed was conducted for case-control studies with pure Chinese populations published up to March 16, 2019. The effective size was estimated by the pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) and associated 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS The case-control study results suggest higher Hcy levels (mean ± SD) and frequency of hyperhomocysteinemia in the Chinese MS cases than control groups (all p < 0.001), lower for VB12 levels (mean ± SD, p = 0.043 or 0.039). No significant difference was observed for levels of folate (mean ± SD, both p > 0.05), and for frequency of folate or VB12 deficiency (all p > 0.05). Analysis of pooled SMDs and 95% CIs suggested increased Hcy levels in Chinese MS patients (SMD: 2.31, 95% CI: 1.33-3.28, p < 0.001), and in relapsing or remitting cases relative to controls (SMD: 0.94 or 0.85, 95% CI: 0.49-1.39 or 0.35-1.34, both p < 0.001). The meta-analysis results also suggested reduced VB12 levels in Chinese MS patients (SMD: -0.30, 95% CI: -0.46-0.14, p < 0.001), and in relapsing MS patients compared to controls (SMD: -0.31, 95% CI: -0.47-0.15, p < 0.001), while no statistical difference for cases in remission. No significant difference was observed for levels folate in all comparisons. CONCLUSION Patients with MS tend to have increased blood Hcy levels compared to controls. MS patients of Chinese origin and those in relapse may have decreased levels of VB12. Hcy and VB12 may contribute to pathogenesis of the disease, and VB12 may correlate with MS relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lishou Pan
- Department of Neurology, The People's Hospital of Yichun City, Yichun University, 1061 Jinxiu Road, Yichun, Jiangxi Province, 336000, PR China
| | - Yanying Yin
- Department of Neurology, The Fifth Central Hospital of Tianjin, Binhai Hospital of Peking University, 40 Zhe Jiang Road of Binhai New Area, Tianjin, 300450, PR China
| | - Jinying Chen
- Department of Neurology, The First People's Hospital of Taizhou City, The Affiliated Huangyan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 218 Hengjie Road, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, 318020, PR China
| | - Zhenyu Ma
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250 East Changgang Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510260, PR China
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Neurology, The People's Hospital of Yichun City, Yichun University, 1061 Jinxiu Road, Yichun, Jiangxi Province, 336000, PR China
| | - Xinbo Deng
- Department of Neurology, The People's Hospital of Yichun City, Yichun University, 1061 Jinxiu Road, Yichun, Jiangxi Province, 336000, PR China
| | - Han-Ting Zhang
- Departments of Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry, the Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Huilin Leng
- Department of Neurology, The People's Hospital of Yichun City, Yichun University, 1061 Jinxiu Road, Yichun, Jiangxi Province, 336000, PR China.
| | - Kuaiying Wu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Yichun University, Xuefu Road, Yichun, Jiangxi Province, 336000, PR China.
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Liu L, Liang J, Liu Q, Luo C, Liu J, Fan R, Chen Z, Chen Y, Peng F, Jiang Y. Elevated Plasma Homocysteine Levels in Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Encephalitis. Front Neurol 2019; 10:464. [PMID: 31130913 PMCID: PMC6509947 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Homocysteine (Hcy) levels have been investigated in many diseases, such as neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases. However, changes in Hcy levels in anti-N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis have not been investigated thus far. Methods: Case data were collected from 45 patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis and 179 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). Clinical characteristics, Hcy levels, C reactive protein (CRP) levels, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters were determined. Association of Hcy and clinical parameters were evaluated in these patients. Among these 45 patients, 15 had a follow-up evaluation at 3 months after treatment. Results: Hcy levels (p < 0.001) and CRP levels (p = 0.005) from the patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis were significantly higher than those from HCs. Hcy levels from male patients were significantly lower than those from male HCs (p < 0.001). Comparing anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients after treatment with before treatment, the former has significantly higher Hcy levels (p = 0.004), CRP levels (p = 0.041) and mRS scores (p = 0.002). Furthermore, a significant negative correlation between the changes in Hcy levels and the changes in mRS scores (r = −0.534, p = 0.040) was observed. Conclusion: Elevated plasma homocysteine occurs in anti-NMDAR encephalitis, and seems associated with male sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizhi Liu
- Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Neurology, Huizhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Huizhou, China
| | - Jie Liang
- Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing Liu
- Department of Neurology, Huizhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Huizhou, China
| | - Chongliang Luo
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rong Fan
- Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhigang Chen
- Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Fuhua Peng
- Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Jiang
- Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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12
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Liang J, Liu J, Fan R, Chen Z, Chen X, Tong J, Chen Y, Peng F, Jiang Y. Plasma Homocysteine Level Is Associated with the Expanded Disability Status Scale in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder. Neuroimmunomodulation 2019; 26:258-264. [PMID: 31655825 DOI: 10.1159/000503426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels have been investigated among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the changes in Hcy levels and the association between Hcy levels and inflammatory/immune/cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients have not been investigated yet. METHODS Case data were collected from 97 acute-phase NMOSD patients and 39 stable-phase NMOSD patients. Patients in the acute phase were divided into 2 groups based on the EDSS score with cutoff equal to 4. Hcy levels, immunoglobulins (Ig) A, G, and M, complement 3 and 4, CH50, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and CSF examination including white blood cells and total protein were determined. RESULTS No significant differences in Hcy levels are observed between acute-phase and stable-phase NMOSD patients. Hcy and ESR levels were significantly higher in acute-phase NMOSD patients with EDSS score ≥4. Besides, EDSS is positively correlated with Hcy level, ESR, 1/aquaporin-4 titer and Hcy level is negatively correlated with IgM in acute-phase NMOSD patients. CONCLUSION Elevated plasma Hcy has the potential to affect the pathogenesis or progression of NMOSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liang
- Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rong Fan
- Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhigang Chen
- Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Xiaohong Chen
- Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiayi Tong
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Fuhua Peng
- Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Jiang
- Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China,
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13
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Moore JR, Hubler SL, Nelson CD, Nashold FE, Spanier JA, Hayes CE. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3 increases the methionine cycle, CD4 + T cell DNA methylation and Helios +Foxp3 + T regulatory cells to reverse autoimmune neurodegenerative disease. J Neuroimmunol 2018; 324:100-114. [PMID: 30267995 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2018.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
We investigated how one calcitriol dose plus vitamin D3 reverses experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a multiple sclerosis model. This protocol rapidly increased CD4+ T cell Ikzf2 transcripts, Helios protein, and CD4+Helios+FoxP3+ T regulatory cells. It also rapidly increased CD4+ T cell Bhmt1 transcripts, betaine:homocysteine methyltransferase-1 (BHMT1) enzyme activity, and global DNA methylation. BHMT1 transmethylates homocysteine to replenish methionine. Targeting the Vdr gene in T cells decreased Ikzf2 and Bhmt1 gene expression, reduced DNA methylation, and elevated systemic homocysteine in mice with EAE. We hypothesize that calcitriol drives a transition from encephalitogenic CD4+ T cell to Treg cell dominance by upregulating Ikzf2 and Bhmt1, recycling homocysteine to methionine, reducing homocysteine toxicity, maintaining DNA methylation, and stabilizing CD4+Helios+FoxP3+Tregulatory cells. Conserved vitamin D-responsive element (VDRE)-type sequences in the Bhmt1 and Ikzf2 promoters, the universal need for methionine in epigenetic regulation, and betaine's protective effects in MTHFR-deficiency suggest similar regulatory mechanisms exist in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerott R Moore
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 433 Babcock Drive, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | | | - Corwin D Nelson
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States
| | - Faye E Nashold
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 433 Babcock Drive, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | - Justin A Spanier
- Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, Center for Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States.
| | - Colleen E Hayes
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 433 Babcock Drive, Madison, WI 53706, United States.
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14
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Khosravi-Largani M, Pourvali-Talatappeh P, Rousta AM, Karimi-Kivi M, Noroozi E, Mahjoob A, Asaadi Y, Shahmohammadi A, Sadeghi S, Shakeri S, Ghiyasvand K, Tavakoli-Yaraki M. A review on potential roles of vitamins in incidence, progression, and improvement of multiple sclerosis. eNeurologicalSci 2018; 10:37-44. [PMID: 29736427 PMCID: PMC5934114 DOI: 10.1016/j.ensci.2018.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Revised: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease, with unknown etiology. Vitamins, as important micronutrients playing different roles in body, seem to be important in MS pathogenesis. In vitro, in vivo and human studies, supports the protective role of some vitamins in MS occurrence or progression. Current study reviews recent insights and reports about the importance of vitamins in MS incidence or progression. In accordance, the importance of all water and fat-soluble vitamins in MS pathogenesis based on observational studies in human population and their role in the function of immune system as well as possible therapeutic opportunities are discussed in depth throughout this review.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Elahe Noroozi
- School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Mahjoob
- School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yasaman Asaadi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Sarina Sadeghi
- School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shiva Shakeri
- School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kimiya Ghiyasvand
- School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Tavakoli-Yaraki
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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15
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Dardiotis E, Arseniou S, Sokratous M, Tsouris Z, Siokas V, Mentis AFA, Michalopoulou A, Andravizou A, Dastamani M, Paterakis K, Bogdanos D, Brotis A. Vitamin B12, folate, and homocysteine levels and multiple sclerosis: A meta-analysis. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2017; 17:190-197. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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16
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Fourteen sequence variants that associate with multiple sclerosis discovered by meta-analysis informed by genetic correlations. NPJ Genom Med 2017; 2:24. [PMID: 29263835 PMCID: PMC5677966 DOI: 10.1038/s41525-017-0027-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A meta-analysis of publicly available summary statistics on multiple sclerosis combined with three Nordic multiple sclerosis cohorts (21,079 cases, 371,198 controls) revealed seven sequence variants associating with multiple sclerosis, not reported previously. Using polygenic risk scores based on public summary statistics of variants outside the major histocompatibility complex region we quantified genetic overlap between common autoimmune diseases in Icelanders and identified disease clusters characterized by autoantibody presence/absence. As multiple sclerosis-polygenic risk scores captures the risk of primary biliary cirrhosis and vice versa (P = 1.6 × 10−7, 4.3 × 10−9) we used primary biliary cirrhosis as a proxy-phenotype for multiple sclerosis, the idea being that variants conferring risk of primary biliary cirrhosis have a prior probability of conferring risk of multiple sclerosis. We tested 255 variants forming the primary biliary cirrhosis-polygenic risk score and found seven multiple sclerosis-associating variants not correlated with any previously established multiple sclerosis variants. Most of the variants discovered are close to or within immune-related genes. One is a low-frequency missense variant in TYK2, another is a missense variant in MTHFR that reduces the function of the encoded enzyme affecting methionine metabolism, reported to be dysregulated in multiple sclerosis brain. Combining studies and comparing across diseases turned up 14 novel gene variants linked to multiple sclerosis (MS). A team led by Kári Stefánsson and Ingileif Jónsdóttir from deCODE genetics in Reykjavík, Iceland, amalgamated data from a large international study of MS with three smaller ones from Sweden, Norway and Iceland. They conducted a meta-analysis on the combined data set — which encompassed around 21,000 MS patients and 372,000 population controls — and uncovered seven new genetic risk variants linked to MS. The researchers then compared the genetic overlap between various autoimmune diseases in the Icelandic cohort, and documented a close relationship between MS and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). They looked more closely at variants linked to PBC, and found that seven also increased the risk for MS, bringing the tally of novel gene variants up to fourteen.
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17
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Bystrická Z, Laubertová L, Ďurfinová M, Paduchová Z. Methionine metabolism and multiple sclerosis. Biomarkers 2017; 22:747-754. [DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2017.1334153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Bystrická
- Institute of Medical Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lucia Laubertová
- Institute of Medical Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Monika Ďurfinová
- Institute of Medical Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Paduchová
- Institute of Medical Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
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18
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Emerging Role for Methylation in Multiple Sclerosis: Beyond DNA. Trends Mol Med 2017; 23:546-562. [PMID: 28478950 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2017.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. The inflammatory and neurodegenerative pathways driving MS are modulated by DNA, lysine, and arginine methylation, as evidenced by studies made possible by novel tools for methylation detection or loss of function. We present evidence that MS is associated with genetic variants and metabolic changes that impact on methylation. Further, we comprehensively review current understanding of how methylation can impact on central nervous system (CNS) resilience and neuroregenerative potential, as well as inflammatory versus regulatory T helper (Th) cell balance. These findings are discussed in the context of therapeutic relevance for MS, with broad implications in other neurologic and immune-mediated diseases.
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19
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Irish AK, Erickson CM, Wahls TL, Snetselaar LG, Darling WG. Randomized control trial evaluation of a modified Paleolithic dietary intervention in the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a pilot study. Degener Neurol Neuromuscul Dis 2017; 7:1-18. [PMID: 30050374 PMCID: PMC6053098 DOI: 10.2147/dnnd.s116949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE A Paleolithic diet may improve fatigue and quality of life in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, but past research has evaluated the effects of this dietary intervention in combination with other treatments such as exercise. Thus, the purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate a modified Paleolithic dietary intervention (MPDI) in the treatment of fatigue and other symptoms in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). METHODS We measured the effects of a MPDI in 17 individuals with RRMS. Of 34 subjects randomly assigned to control (maintain usual diet) and intervention (MPDI) groups, nine subjects (one man) completed the control group and eight subjects (one man) completed the MPDI. RESULTS Significant improvements were seen in Fatigue Severity Scale score and also in Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 and time to complete (dominant hand) 9-Hole Peg Test from baseline in MPDI subjects compared to controls. Increased vitamin K serum levels were also observed in MPDI subjects postprotocol compared to controls. CONCLUSION A Paleolithic diet may be useful in the treatment and management of MS, by reducing perceived fatigue, increasing mental and physical quality of life, increasing exercise capacity, and improving hand and leg function. By increasing vitamin K serum levels, the MPDI may also reduce inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K Irish
- Motor Control Laboratories, Department of Health and Human Physiology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, The University of Iowa,
| | - Constance M Erickson
- Motor Control Laboratories, Department of Health and Human Physiology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, The University of Iowa,
| | - Terry L Wahls
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine
| | - Linda G Snetselaar
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Warren G Darling
- Motor Control Laboratories, Department of Health and Human Physiology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, The University of Iowa,
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20
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Jamroz-Wiśniewska A, Bełtowski J, Bartosik-Psujek H, Wójcicka G, Rejdak K. Processes of plasma protein N-homocysteinylation in multiple sclerosis. Int J Neurosci 2016; 127:709-715. [PMID: 27671515 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2016.1241782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Homocysteine thiolactone (HTL) is a cyclic thioester of homocysteine (Hcy) contributing to the toxicity of this amino acid. HTL spontaneously reacts with protein lysine residues leading to altered properties of target proteins and induction of immune response. HTL is hydrolyzed to Hcy by plasma enzyme, paraoxonase 1 (PON1). Although both Hcy and PON1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), protein modification by HTL in this disease has not been studied so far. Purpose/Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the level of Hcy, HTL and autoantibodies against N-homocysteinylated proteins as well as PON1 activity in patients with MS. METHODS The studies were performed in 61 MS patients with relapsing-remitting (RR group, n = 25) and secondary-progressive type of MS (SP group, n = 36), and in healthy people (C - control group, n = 44). RESULTS Homocysteine level was significantly higher in MS patients comparing to control group (C vs. RR p < 0.01; C vs. SP p < 0.05). The level of HTL tended to be higher in RR-MS in comparison to control group, but it did not reach the level of significance. The level of antibodies against N-homocysteinylated proteins did not differ significantly between studied groups. PON1 activity was significantly lower in SP type of MS (SP vs. C p < 0.05; SP vs. RR p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Although plasma Hcy concentration is higher in MS patients and PON1 activity is reduced in the SP form, MS is associated with minor or no changes in protein-attached HTL and anti-homocysteinylated protein immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - J Bełtowski
- b Department of Pathophysiology , Lublin Medical University , Lublin , Poland
| | - H Bartosik-Psujek
- c Department of Neurology , University of Rzeszów , Rzeszów , Poland
| | - G Wójcicka
- b Department of Pathophysiology , Lublin Medical University , Lublin , Poland
| | - K Rejdak
- a Department of Neurology , Lublin Medical University , Lublin , Poland
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21
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Ulivelli M, Priora R, Di Giuseppe D, Coppo L, Summa D, Margaritis A, Frosali S, Bartalini S, Martini G, Cerase A, Di Simplicio P. Homocysteinemia control by cysteine in cerebral vascular patients after methionine loading test: evidences in physiological and pathological conditions in cerebro-vascular and multiple sclerosis patients. Amino Acids 2016; 48:1477-89. [PMID: 26969256 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-016-2207-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The toxicity risk of hyperhomocysteinemia is prevented through thiol drug administration which reduces plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations by activating thiol exchange reactions. Assuming that cysteine (Cys) is a homocysteinemia regulator, the hypothesis was verified in healthy and pathological individuals after the methionine loading test (MLT). The plasma variations of redox species of Cys, Hcy, cysteinylglycine, glutathione and albumin (reduced, HS-ALB, and at mixed disulfide, XSS-ALB) were compared in patients with cerebral small vessels disease (CSVD) (n = 11), multiple sclerosis (MS) (n = 12) and healthy controls (n = 11) at 2-4-6 h after MLT. In MLT-treated subjects, the activation of thiol exchange reactions provoked significant changes over time in redox species concentrations of Cys, Hcy, and albumin. Significant differences between controls and pathological groups were also observed. In non-methionine-treated subjects, total Cys concentrations, tHcy and thiol-protein mixed disulfides (CSS-ALB, HSS-ALB) of CSVD patients were higher than controls. After MLT, all groups displayed significant cystine (CSSC) increases and CSS-ALB decreases, that in pathological groups were significantly higher than controls. These data would confirm the Cys regulatory role on the homocysteinemia; they also explain that the Cys-Hcy mixed disulfide excretion is an important point of hyperhomocysteinemia control. Moreover, in all groups after MLT, significant increases in albumin concentrations, named total albumin (tALB) and measured as sum of HS-ALB (spectrophometric), and XSS-ALB (assayed at HPLC) were observed. tALB increases, more pronounced in healthy than in the pathological subjects, could indicate alterations of albumin equilibria between plasma and other extracellular spaces, whose toxicological consequences deserve further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Ulivelli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy.,Pharmacology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Raffaella Priora
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Danila Di Giuseppe
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Lucia Coppo
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Domenico Summa
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Antonios Margaritis
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Simona Frosali
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Sabina Bartalini
- Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy.,Pharmacology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Martini
- Stroke Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Alfonso Cerase
- Neuroimaging and Neurointervention, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Paolo Di Simplicio
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy.
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22
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Veber D, Scalabrino G. Are PrPCs involved in some human myelin diseases? Relating experimental studies to human pathology. J Neurol Sci 2015; 359:396-403. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2015.09.365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2015] [Revised: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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23
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Schmitz K, Barthelmes J, Stolz L, Beyer S, Diehl O, Tegeder I. "Disease modifying nutricals" for multiple sclerosis. Pharmacol Ther 2014; 148:85-113. [PMID: 25435020 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2014.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The association between vitamin D and multiple sclerosis has (re)-opened new interest in nutrition and natural compounds in the prevention and treatment of this neuroinflammatory disease. The dietary amount and type of fat, probiotics and biologicals, salmon proteoglycans, phytoestrogens and protease inhibitor of soy, sodium chloride and trace elements, and fat soluble vitamins including D, A and E were all considered as disease-modifying nutraceuticals. Studies in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice suggest that poly-unsaturated fatty acids and their 'inflammation-resolving' metabolites and the gut microflora may reduce auto-aggressive immune cells and reduce progression or risk of relapse, and infection with whipworm eggs may positively change the gut-brain communication. Encouraged by the recent interest in multiple sclerosis-nutrition nature's pharmacy has been searched for novel compounds with anti-inflammatory, immune-modifying and antioxidative properties, the most interesting being the scorpion toxins that inhibit specific potassium channels of T cells and antioxidative compounds including the green tea flavonoid epigallocatechin-3-gallate, curcumin and the mustard oil glycoside from e.g. broccoli and sulforaphane. They mostly also inhibit pro-inflammatory signaling through NF-κB or toll-like receptors and stabilize the blood brain barrier. Disease modifying functions may also complement analgesic and anti-spastic effects of cannabis, its constituents, and of 'endocannabinoid enhancing' drugs or nutricals like inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase. Nutricals will not solve multiple sclerosis therapeutic challenges but possibly support pharmacological interventions or unearth novel structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Schmitz
- The MS Study Group of the TRIP-Graduate School, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Julia Barthelmes
- The MS Study Group of the TRIP-Graduate School, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Leonie Stolz
- The MS Study Group of the TRIP-Graduate School, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Susanne Beyer
- The MS Study Group of the TRIP-Graduate School, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Olaf Diehl
- The MS Study Group of the TRIP-Graduate School, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Irmgard Tegeder
- The MS Study Group of the TRIP-Graduate School, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Germany.
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24
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Ansari R, Mahta A, Mallack E, Luo JJ. Hyperhomocysteinemia and neurologic disorders: a review. J Clin Neurol 2014; 10:281-8. [PMID: 25324876 PMCID: PMC4198708 DOI: 10.3988/jcn.2014.10.4.281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Revised: 06/22/2014] [Accepted: 06/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Homocysteine (Hcy) is a sulfur-containing amino acid that is generated during methionine metabolism. It has a physiologic role in DNA metabolism via methylation, a process governed by the presentation of folate, and vitamins B6 and B12. Physiologic Hcy levels are determined primarily by dietary intake and vitamin status. Elevated plasma levels of Hcy (eHcy) can be caused by deficiency of either vitamin B12 or folate, or a combination thereof. Certain genetic factors also cause eHcy, such as C667T substitution of the gene encoding methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. eHcy has been observed in several medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disorders, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, stroke, minimal cognitive impairment, dementia, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and eclampsia. There is evidence from laboratory and clinical studies that Hcy, and especially eHcy, exerts direct toxic effects on both the vascular and nervous systems. This article provides a review of the current literature on the possible roles of eHcy relevant to various neurologic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramin Ansari
- Department of Neurology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ali Mahta
- Department of Neurology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Eric Mallack
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical Center-New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jin Jun Luo
- Department of Neurology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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25
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Levin MC, Douglas JN, Meyers L, Lee S, Shin Y, Gardner LA. Neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis involves multiple pathogenic mechanisms. Degener Neurol Neuromuscul Dis 2014; 4:49-63. [PMID: 32669900 PMCID: PMC7337253 DOI: 10.2147/dnnd.s54391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 03/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex autoimmune disease that impairs the central nervous system (CNS). The neurological disability and clinical course of the disease is highly variable and unpredictable from one patient to another. The cause of MS is still unknown, but it is thought to occur in genetically susceptible individuals who develop disease due to a nongenetic trigger, such as altered metabolism, a virus, or other environmental factors. MS patients develop progressive, irreversible, neurological disability associated with neuronal and axonal damage, collectively known as neurodegeneration. Neurodegeneration was traditionally considered as a secondary phenomenon to inflammation and demyelination. However, recent data indicate that neurodegeneration develops along with inflammation and demyelination. Thus, MS is increasingly recognized as a neurodegenerative disease triggered by an inflammatory attack of the CNS. While both inflammation and demyelination are well described and understood cellular processes, neurodegeneration might be defined by a diverse pool of any of the following: neuronal cell death, apoptosis, necrosis, and virtual hypoxia. In this review, we present multiple theories and supporting evidence that identify common biological processes that contribute to neurodegeneration in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Levin
- Veterans Administration Medical Center.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Joshua N Douglas
- Veterans Administration Medical Center.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | - Sangmin Lee
- Veterans Administration Medical Center.,Department of Neurology
| | - Yoojin Shin
- Veterans Administration Medical Center.,Department of Neurology
| | - Lidia A Gardner
- Veterans Administration Medical Center.,Department of Neurology
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Stanger O, Fowler B, Piertzik K, Huemer M, Haschke-Becher E, Semmler A, Lorenzl S, Linnebank M. Homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12in neuropsychiatric diseases: review and treatment recommendations. Expert Rev Neurother 2014; 9:1393-412. [DOI: 10.1586/ern.09.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Nair KV, Corboy J, Kahler K, Allen RR, Ghushcyan V, McQueen RB, Bainbridge J, Dastani H, Mody-Patel N. Use of diagnostic tests and procedures for disease-modifying therapy users and non-disease-modifying therapy users with multiple sclerosis. Expert Rev Neurother 2014; 11:787-98. [DOI: 10.1586/ern.11.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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The control of hyperhomocysteinemia through thiol exchange mechanisms by mesna. Amino Acids 2013; 46:429-39. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-013-1636-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2013] [Accepted: 12/03/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Moghaddasi M, Mamarabadi M, Mohebi N, Razjouyan H, Aghaei M. Homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folate levels in Iranian patients with Multiple Sclerosis: a case control study. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2013; 115:1802-5. [PMID: 23756083 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2013.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2012] [Revised: 02/19/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, homocysteine (Hcy), folate, and vitamin B12 have been proposed to have several roles on MS pathogenesis. OBJECTIVE We performed this study to determine the role of serum levels of Hcy, vitamin B12, and folate in patients with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) and compared them with healthy controls. METHODS We recruited 75 RRMS patients and 75 subjects as controls with the same age and sex. Homocysteine was measured using fluorimetric high-performance liquid chromatography. Plasma folate and vitamin B12 levels were measured through ion-capture method. RESULTS Mean plasma levels of vitamin B12, folate, and Hcy in cases were 342.64 ± 210.66 pg/ml, 9.74 ± 4.77 ng/ml, and 22.73 ± 11.63 μM/L, respectively, which showed significant difference in comparison with the controls. In addition, there were significant correlations between mean serum Hcy levels and duration of disease (r=0.2, p=0.05) and treatment with interferon (r=0.21, p=0.01). In cases, Hcy level was higher among those on β interferon (24.56 ± 11.87 vs. 19.71 ± 10.75, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS We concluded that serum levels of vitamin B12 and folate decreased in RRMS patients, but Hcy levels increased significantly. It seems necessary to conduct prospective trials to determine whether the treatment with supplements and correct biomarker levels in the early stage of the disease can change the course of the disease. We recommend regular checking of the serum level of Hcy in patients who use disease-modifying drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Moghaddasi
- Department of Neurology, Rasool Akram Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Gardner LA, Desiderio DM, Groover CJ, Hartzes A, Yates CR, Zucker-Levin AR, Bloom L, Levin MC. LC-MS/MS identification of the one-carbon cycle metabolites in human plasma. Electrophoresis 2013; 34:1710-6. [PMID: 23417555 DOI: 10.1002/elps.201200536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2012] [Revised: 11/20/2012] [Accepted: 12/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The one-carbon cycle is composed of four major biologically important molecules: methionine (L-Met), S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), and homocysteine (Hcy). In addition to these key metabolites, there are multiple enzymes, vitamins, and cofactors that play essential roles in the cascade of the biochemical reactions that convert one metabolite into another in the cycle. Simultaneous quantitative measurement of four major metabolites can be used to detect possible aberrations in this vital cycle. Abnormalities in the one-carbon cycle might lead to hyper- or hypomethylation, homocystinemia, liver dysfunction, and accumulation of white-matter hyperintensities in the human brain. Previously published methods describe evaluation of several components of the one-carbon cycle, but none to our knowledge demonstrated simultaneous measurement of all four key molecules (L-Met, SAM, SAH, and Hcy). We describe a novel analytical method suitable for simultaneous identification and quantification of L-Met, SAM, SAH, and Hcy with LC-MS/MS. Moreover, we tested this method to identify these metabolites in human plasma collected from patients with multiple sclerosis and healthy individuals. In a pilot feasibility study, our results indicate that patients with multiple sclerosis showed abnormalities in the one-carbon cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia A Gardner
- Research Service, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Memphis, TN, USA
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Fekih Mrissa N, Mrad M, Klai S, Zaouali J, Sayeh A, Mazigh C, Nsiri B, Machgoul S, Gritli N, Mrissa R. Association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase A1298C polymorphism but not of C677T with multiple sclerosis in Tunisian patients. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2013; 115:1657-60. [PMID: 23523621 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2013.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2012] [Revised: 11/14/2012] [Accepted: 02/23/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease characterized by central nervous system (CNS) inflammation and demyelination of nerve axons. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible association between the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene and multiple sclerosis in Tunisian patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS The genotyping of two missense variants of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, C677T and A1298C was performed in 80 multiple sclerosis patients and 200 healthy controls. RESULTS No significant differences were found in the frequency of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism between MS patients and healthy controls. However, the genotype prevalence of the missense variant MTHFR A1298C was significantly different between patients and controls (A/C: 55% versus 7%, p<10(-3); C/C: 13.75% versus 0%, p<10(-3), respectively). CONCLUSION Although our preliminary findings suggest no association between the MTHFR C677T variants and MS, there is evidence to suggest a significant association between the MTHFR A1298C polymorphisms and MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najiba Fekih Mrissa
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Hematology, Military Hospital of Tunisia, Tunis, Tunisia.
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Zoccolella S, Tortorella C, Iaffaldano P, Direnzo V, D'Onghia M, Paolicelli D, Livrea P, Trojano M. Elevated plasma homocysteine levels in patients with multiple sclerosis are associated with male gender. J Neurol 2012; 259:2105-10. [PMID: 22421956 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-012-6464-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2011] [Revised: 02/16/2012] [Accepted: 02/17/2012] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Elevated homocysteine (Hcy) levels exert several neurotoxic actions and vascular dysfunctions that may be involved in pathogenesis and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). The effective role of Hcy in MS however remains to be determined. The aim of this work was to compare plasma Hcy levels in MS patients and neurological disease controls (NDC) and to evaluate their relationships with clinical and demographic variables. In this cross-sectional study, we examined plasma Hcy levels in 217 patients with MS [53 clinically isolated syndromes (CIS) suggestive of MS, 134 relapsing remitting (RR), 23 secondary progressive (SP) and seven primary progressive (PP) MS], recruited among patients attending a tertiary clinical center in southern Italy and in 219 age/sex-matched controls. Median Hcy levels were slightly higher in MS patients compared to NDC (9.1 μmol/l; range, 3.4-35.9 vs. 8.6, range 3.5-27.4; p = 0.02). Median Hcy concentrations were increased in males more than in females in the MS population (10.4 vs. 8.4; p < 0.0001), whereas no differences across genders were found in NDC (9.1 vs. 8.5). Hcy levels were higher in male MS patients compared to the male NDC patients (p = 0.001). Patients with CIS had lower Hcy (7.5 μmol/l; p = 0.004) compared to patients with RR (9.5 μmol/l), SP (10.1 μmol/l) and PP (9.9 μmol/l). Median Hcy concentration was higher in patients with disease duration longer than 22 months (9.7 vs. 8.6 μmol/l; p = 0.02). Plasma Hcy levels are increased in patients with definite MS. Higher Hcy levels are associated with male sex, suggesting a role of Hcy in neurodegenerative processes of MS, which are prominent in male patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Zoccolella
- Department of Neurosciences and Organs of Senses, University of Bari, Ospedale Policlinico, P.zza G. Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
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Zhu Y, He ZY, Liu HN. Meta-analysis of the relationship between homocysteine, vitamin B12, folate, and multiple sclerosis. J Clin Neurosci 2011; 18:933-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2010.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2009] [Revised: 11/16/2010] [Accepted: 12/09/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Blood lipids, homocysteine, stress factors, and vitamins in clinically stable multiple sclerosis patients. Lipids Health Dis 2010; 9:19. [PMID: 20163740 PMCID: PMC2834681 DOI: 10.1186/1476-511x-9-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2009] [Accepted: 02/18/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients present a decrease of antioxidants and neuroprotective and immunoregulatory vitamins and an increase of total homocysteine (tHcy), cholesterol (CHL), HDL-cholesterol, and of cellular stress markers, variably associated with the different phases of the disease. We compared the blood levels of uric acid, folic acid, vitamins B12, A, and E, tHcy, CHL, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides in forty MS patients during a phase of clinical inactivity with those of eighty healthy controls, matched for age and sex. We found higher levels of tHcy (p = 0.032) and of HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.001) and lower levels of vitamin E (p = 0.001) and the ratio vitamin E/CHL (p = 0.001) in MS patients. In conclusion, modifications of some biochemical markers of cell damage were detected in MS patients during a phase of clinical inactivity.
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Systemic methotrexate induces spatial memory deficits and depletes cerebrospinal fluid folate in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2010; 94:454-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2009.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2009] [Revised: 10/01/2009] [Accepted: 10/22/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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The variant methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase c.1298A>C (p.E429A) is associated with multiple sclerosis in a German case-control study. Neurosci Lett 2009; 468:183-5. [PMID: 19854238 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2009.10.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2009] [Revised: 10/06/2009] [Accepted: 10/18/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. We investigated the association of two missense variants of the MTHFR gene, i.e. MTHFR c.677C>T (p.A222V) and c.1298A>C (p.E429A), in 138 patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis of relapsing-remitting course and 138 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. No significant differences were found in the frequency of the MTHFR c.677C>T polymorphism between MS patients and healthy controls. However, the genotype frequencies of the missense variant MTHFR c.1298A>C were significantly different between patients (AA/AC/CC: 0.34/0.55/0.11) and controls (0.52/0.36/0.12; Pearson's chi(2)=11.1; p=0.004). These results suggest that homozygosity for the A allele of MTHFR c.1298A>C may be protective against the incidence of MS. If confirmed in an independent study sample, the underlying mechanisms should be investigated, which may lead to novel insights in biochemical factors influencing the aetiology and pathophysiology of MS.
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Regulation of redox forms of plasma thiols by albumin in multiple sclerosis after fasting and methionine loading test. Amino Acids 2009; 38:1461-71. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-009-0350-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2008] [Accepted: 09/09/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Triantafyllou N, Evangelopoulos ME, Kimiskidis VK, Kararizou E, Boufidou F, Fountoulakis KN, Siamouli M, Nikolaou C, Sfagos C, Vlaikidis N, Vassilopoulos D. Increased plasma homocysteine levels in patients with multiple sclerosis and depression. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2008; 7:17. [PMID: 18782433 PMCID: PMC2553073 DOI: 10.1186/1744-859x-7-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2008] [Accepted: 09/09/2008] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to assess the plasma levels of homocysteine in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to investigate whether an association with depression exists. METHODS Plasma homocysteine (Hcy), vitamin B12 and plasma folate were measured in 65 moderately disabled patients with relapsing/remitting MS (RR-MS) and 60 healthy controls. All subjects were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). RESULTS Hcy levels were significantly increased in MS patients compared to controls (13.5 +/- 4.7 mumol/l vs 8.5 +/- 3.1, p < 0.001). A significant correlation was found between Hcy levels and BDI scores (Pearson r = 0.3025, p < 0.05). Plasma Hcy was not related to Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, age, disease duration or vitamin B12 and folate. CONCLUSION Moderately disabled MS patients with elevated Hcy levels are particularly prone to develop depressive symptomatology. Further study is warranted in order to elucidate the prognostic and therapeutic implications of this novel finding.
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Obeid R, McCaddon A, Herrmann W. The role of hyperhomocysteinemia and B-vitamin deficiency in neurological and psychiatric diseases. Clin Chem Lab Med 2008; 45:1590-606. [PMID: 18067446 DOI: 10.1515/cclm.2007.356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is related to central nervous system diseases. Epidemiological studies show a positive, dose-dependent relationship between plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration and neurodegenerative disease risk. tHcy is a marker of B-vitamin (folate, B(12), B(6)) status. Hypomethylation, caused by low B-vitamin status and HHcy, is linked to key pathomechanisms of dementia; B-vitamin supplementation could potentially reduce neurological damage. In retrospective studies, the association between tHcy and cognition is impressive; there is also evidence that tHcy-lowering treatment could be effective in primary and secondary stroke prevention. Increased tHcy and low serum folate occur in patients with Parkinson's disease, especially those receiving L-dopa. There is also an association between HHcy and multiple sclerosis, and between B-vitamin status and depression. Studies also confirm a causal role for tHcy in epilepsy, and certain anti-epileptics enhance HHcy. B-vitamin status should be optimized by ensuring sufficient intake in patients with neuropsychiatric diseases. HHcy occurs commonly in the elderly and can contribute to age-related neurodegeneration. Treatment with folic acid, B(12) and B(6) lowers tHcy. For secondary and primary prevention from several neuropsychiatric disorders, it seems prudent to actively identify deficient subjects and ensure sufficient vitamin intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rima Obeid
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany
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Herrmann W, Obeid R. Biomarkers of folate and vitamin B(12) status in cerebrospinal fluid. Clin Chem Lab Med 2008; 45:1614-20. [PMID: 17892439 DOI: 10.1515/cclm.2007.310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Folate and vitamin B(12) are essential cofactors for the methionine/homocysteine cycle in the brain. These vitamins mediate the remethylation of homocysteine (Hcy), which affects the production of the universal methyl donor, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), in the brain among other organs. Additionally, increased plasma concentrations of total Hcy (tHcy) are associated with cerebrovascular disease and can compromise the blood-brain barrier. tHcy concentrations in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid become increased in several psychiatric and neurological disorders. Disturbances in the transmethylation pathway indicated by abnormal SAM, S-adenosylhomocysteine or their ratio have been reported in many neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia, depression or Parkinson's disease. Cobalamin is essential for neuronal generation and its deficiency can cause degeneration of the nervous system. Available data emphasize that deficiency of folate and vitamin B(12) can lead to elevated concentrations of tHcy and disturbed methylation potential in the brain. Therefore, acquired or inherited disorders in these metabolic pathways are associated with brain abnormalities and severe neurological symptoms that are mostly irreversible, even after providing the missing cofactors. This review discusses the relationship between brain and blood levels of key vitamins and metabolites related to one carbon metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Herrmann
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
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Aksungar FB, Topkaya AE, Yildiz Z, Sahin S, Turk U. Coagulation status and biochemical and inflammatory markers in multiple sclerosis. J Clin Neurosci 2008; 15:393-7. [PMID: 18258432 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2007.02.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2006] [Revised: 02/12/2007] [Accepted: 02/21/2007] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and is the most common cause of neurologic disability in young adults. In this study, the coagulation status and biochemical and non-specific inflammatory markers in patients with MS were investigated. Plasma prothrombin time, activated partial thrombin time, fibrinogen, D-dimer, serum high sensitive C-reactive protein, homocysteine, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, calcium, total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, vitamin B12, folate levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were measured in 42 patients with MS and 31 healthy subjects as a control group. There was a positive correlation between homocysteine and D-dimer levels (r=0.84, p<0.01). However, there was no significant correlation between homocysteine, vitamin B12 (r=0.18) and folate (r=0.23) levels. Serum total protein, albumin and calcium levels of MS patients were lower than the control group. There are some alterations in the coagulation and biochemical status in MS patients. These findings may contribute to better understanding of the etiopathogenesis and clinical characteristics of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fehime B Aksungar
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Maltepe University, Atatürk Caddesi, Cam Sokak No. 3/A, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Russo C, Morabito F, Luise F, Piromalli A, Battaglia L, Vinci A, Trapani Lombardo V, de Marco V, Morabito P, Condino F, Quattrone A, Aguglia U. Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol 2007; 255:64-9. [PMID: 18080853 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-007-0668-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2007] [Revised: 05/08/2007] [Accepted: 06/05/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) has been associated with cognitive impairment in various neurological diseases. Cognitive impairment occurs early in multiple sclerosis (MS). Conflicting data have been reported regarding plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) levels in MS patients, and the impact of HHcy on cognitive impairment in MS is not known. This study investigated whether plasma total homocysteine levels are increased in MS and if HHcy is associated with cognitive impairment in MS. We compared tHcy levels in 94 patients with MS and 53 healthy age-matched controls. We used a neuropsychological test battery that included the Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices, the Visual Search Test, the Trail Making Test A and B, the Immediate and Delayed Recall of a Short Story, the 30 Paired Word Associates, the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test, and the Semantic and Verbal Fluency Tests. Clinical (sex, age, type of MS, relapse, disease duration, coexisting disease, smoking habit, and physical disability) and laboratory variables (HHcy, low serum levels of folate and vit.B12, MTHFR genotype) were evaluated for their ability to predict cognitive impairment. The mean tHcy was higher in patients (13.19 micromol/L, SD5.58) than in controls (9.81 micromol/L, SD2.53; p < 0.001). Univariate analysis determined the following factors to be associated with cognitive impairment: higher age at observation, chronic progressive course of disease, longer disease duration,moderate or severe physical disability, and frequency of HHcy. With multivariate regression analysis, there remained a significant association only between frequency of HHcy and cognitive impairment (beta 0.262, p = 0.01). We conclude that tHcy levels are increased in MS and that HHcy is associated with cognitive impairment in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Russo
- Neurologic Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera, Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli, Reggio Calabria, Italy
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Sahin S, Aksungar FB, Topkaya AE, Yildiz Z, Boru UT, Ayalp S, Karsidag S. Increased plasma homocysteine levels in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler 2007; 13:945-6. [PMID: 17881404 DOI: 10.1177/1352458506075503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Yadav V, Bourdette D. Complementary and alternative medicine: is there a role in multiple sclerosis? Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2007; 6:259-67. [PMID: 16635436 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-006-0014-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Despite effective conventional therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS), many people with MS explore complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies for their symptoms. Common CAM therapies that people use include dietary modification, nutritional and herbal supplementation, and mind-body therapies. There is a revival of interest among MS researchers about the therapeutic potential of low-fat diet and essential fatty acid supplementation in MS. The efficacy of specific vitamin supplementation remains unclear. Recently, cannabis and yoga have been studied in more controlled studies and have provided evidence that they may have some benefit. The research on CAM therapies in MS is still exploratory, but considering peoples' interest and common use of these therapies, further research in this area is clearly warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijayshree Yadav
- Department of Neurology L226, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
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Obeid R, Kostopoulos P, Knapp JP, Kasoha M, Becker G, Fassbender K, Herrmann W. Biomarkers of folate and vitamin B12 are related in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Clin Chem 2007; 53:326-33. [PMID: 17200133 DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2006.076448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND B-vitamins (folate, B(12)) are important micronutrients for brain function and essential cofactors for homocysteine (HCY) metabolism. Increased HCY has been related to neurological and psychiatric disorders. We studied the role of the B-vitamins in HCY metabolism in the brain. METHODS We studied blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 72 patients who underwent lumbar puncture. We measured HCY, methylmalonic acid (MMA), and cystathionine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry; and the B-vitamins by HPLC or immunoassays. RESULTS Concentrations were lower in CSF than serum or plasma for HCY (0.09 vs 9.4 micromol/L), SAH (13.2 vs 16.8 nmol/L), cystathionine (54 vs 329 nmol/L), and holotranscobalamin (16 vs 63 pmol/L), whereas concentrations in CSF were higher for MMA (359 vs 186 nmol/L) and SAM (270 vs 113 nmol/L; all P <0.05). CSF concentrations of HCY correlated significantly with CSF folate (r = -0.46), CSF SAH (r = 0.48), CSF-albumin (r = 0.31), and age (r = 0.32). Aging was also associated with lower concentrations of CSF-folate and higher CSF-SAH. The relationship between serum and CSF folate depended on serum folate: the correlation (r) of serum and CSF-folate was 0.69 at serum folate <15.7 nmol/L. CSF concentrations of MMA and holotranscobalamin were not significantly correlated. CONCLUSIONS CSF and serum/plasma concentrations of vitamin biomarkers are significantly correlated. Older age is associated with higher CSF-HCY and CSF-SAH and lower CSF-folate. These metabolic alterations may be important indicators of low folate status, hyperhomocysteinemia, and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rima Obeid
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany
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Szvetko AL, Fowdar J, Nelson J, Colson N, Tajouri L, Csurhes PA, Pender MP, Griffiths LR. No association between MTHFR A1298C and MTRR A66G polymorphisms, and MS in an Australian cohort. J Neurol Sci 2007; 252:49-52. [PMID: 17113603 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2006.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2006] [Revised: 08/14/2006] [Accepted: 10/04/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex neurological disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS) resulting in debilitating neuropathology. Pathogenesis is primarily defined by CNS inflammation and demyelination of nerve axons. Methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) is an enzyme that catalyzes the remethylation of homocysteine (Hcy) to methionine via cobalamin and folate dependant reactions. Cobalamin acts as an intermediate methyl carrier between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and Hcy. MTRR plays a critical role in maintaining cobalamin in an active form and is consequently an important determinant of total plasma Hcy (pHcy) concentrations. Elevated intracellular pHcy levels have been suggested to play a role in CNS dysfunction, neurodegenerative, and cerebrovascular diseases. Our investigation entailed the genotyping of a cohort of 140 cases and matched controls for MTRR and MTHFR, by restriction length polymorphism (RFLP) techniques. Two polymorphisms: MTRR A66G and MTHFR A1298C were investigated in an Australian age and gender matched case-control study. No significant allelic frequency difference was observed between cases and controls at the alpha = 0.05 level (MTRR chi2 = 0.005, P = 0.95, MTHFR chi2 = 1.15, P = 0.28). Our preliminary findings suggest no association between the MTRR A66G and MTHFR A1298C polymorphisms and MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Szvetko
- Genomics Research Centre, School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, PMB 50, Gold Coast Mail Centre, Queensland 9726, Australia
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Abstract
There are many reasons for reviewing the neurology of vitamin-B12 and folic-acid deficiencies together, including the intimate relation between the metabolism of the two vitamins, their morphologically indistinguishable megaloblastic anaemias, and their overlapping neuropsychiatric syndromes and neuropathology, including their related inborn errors of metabolism. Folates and vitamin B12 have fundamental roles in CNS function at all ages, especially the methionine-synthase mediated conversion of homocysteine to methionine, which is essential for nucleotide synthesis and genomic and non-genomic methylation. Folic acid and vitamin B12 may have roles in the prevention of disorders of CNS development, mood disorders, and dementias, including Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia in elderly people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Reynolds
- Institute of Epileptology, King's College, Denmark Hill Campus, Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 6PJ, UK.
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van Rensburg SJ, Kotze MJ, Hon D, Haug P, Kuyler J, Hendricks M, Botha J, Potocnik FCV, Matsha T, Erasmus RT. Iron and the folate-vitamin B12-methylation pathway in multiple sclerosis. Metab Brain Dis 2006; 21:121-37. [PMID: 16729250 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-006-9019-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2005] [Accepted: 11/18/2005] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Some subjects with multiple sclerosis (MS) present with low blood iron parameters. Anecdotal reports and a single patient study suggest that iron supplementation may be beneficial in these subjects. Myelin is regenerated continually, but prerequisites for this process are iron and a functional folate-vitamin B12-methylation pathway. The aim of this study was to determine iron status, folate and homocysteine in MS subjects, and to evaluate the effect on MS symptoms if deficiencies were addressed. RESULTS In relapsing-remitting MS subjects, serum iron concentration correlated significantly with age at diagnosis (r=0.49; p=0.008). In Caucasian female MS subjects, serum iron and ferritin concentrations were significantly lower than in matched controls. In a 6-month pilot study, 12 subjects taking a regimen of nutritional supplements designed to promote myelin regeneration, improved significantly neurologically as measured by the Kurzke EDSS (Total Score means 3.50 to 2.45, 29.9%; p=0.021). These were significantly improved (p=0.002) compared to 6 control group patients taking multivitamins (Kurzke Score increased by 13.9% from 4.83 to 5.50). Both groups had significantly reduced homocysteine concentrations at 6 months, suggesting that methylation is necessary but not sufficient for myelin regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J van Rensburg
- Chemical Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service and the University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg Hospital, PO Box 19113, 7505 Tygerberg, South Africa.
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50
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Ramsaransing GSM, Fokkema MR, Teelken A, Arutjunyan AV, Koch M, De Keyser J. Plasma homocysteine levels in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2006; 77:189-92. [PMID: 16421120 PMCID: PMC2077571 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.2005.072199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is evidence that homocysteine contributes to various neurodegenerative disorders, and elevated plasma homocysteine levels have been observed in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). OBJECTIVE To investigate if and why plasma homocysteine levels are increased in MS, and whether they play a role in the disease course. METHODS We compared plasma levels of homocysteine in 88 patients with MS and 57 healthy controls. In the MS group, 28 had a benign course, 37 were secondary progressive, and 23 primary progressive. To explore the underlying mechanisms, we measured serum levels of vitamins B6 and B12, folate, interleukin (IL)-12, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, leukocyte nitric oxide production, and plasma diene conjugate levels (measure of oxidative stress). RESULTS Mean (SD) plasma homocysteine concentration was higher in patients (13.8 (4.9) micromol/l) than in controls (10.1 (2.5) micromol/l; p<0.0001). However, there were no significant differences in homocysteine levels between the three clinical subgroups of MS. Serum concentrations of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folate were not different between patients with MS and controls. In the MS group, there were no correlations between plasma homocysteine levels and the serum concentrations of IL-12 or TNF-alpha, leukocyte nitric oxide production, or plasma diene conjugate levels. CONCLUSIONS Elevated plasma homocysteine occurs in both benign and progressive disease courses of MS, and seems unrelated to immune activation, oxidative stress, or a deficiency in vitamin B6, vitamin B12, or folate.
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Affiliation(s)
- G S M Ramsaransing
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, Netherlands
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