1
|
Meca-Lallana V, Berenguer-Ruiz L, Carreres-Polo J, Eichau-Madueño S, Ferrer-Lozano J, Forero L, Higueras Y, Téllez Lara N, Vidal-Jordana A, Pérez-Miralles FC. Deciphering Multiple Sclerosis Progression. Front Neurol 2021; 12:608491. [PMID: 33897583 PMCID: PMC8058428 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.608491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is primarily an inflammatory and degenerative disease of the central nervous system, triggered by unknown environmental factors in patients with predisposing genetic risk profiles. The prevention of neurological disability is one of the essential goals to be achieved in a patient with MS. However, the pathogenic mechanisms driving the progressive phase of the disease remain unknown. It was described that the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with disease progression are present from disease onset. In daily practice, there is a lack of clinical, radiological, or biological markers that favor an early detection of the disease's progression. Different definitions of disability progression were used in clinical trials. According to the most descriptive, progression was defined as a minimum increase in the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) of 1.5, 1.0, or 0.5 from a baseline level of 0, 1.0–5.0, and 5.5, respectively. Nevertheless, the EDSS is not the most sensitive scale to assess progression, and there is no consensus regarding any specific diagnostic criteria for disability progression. This review document discusses the current pathophysiological concepts associated with MS progression, the different measurement strategies, the biomarkers associated with disability progression, and the available pharmacologic therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Meca-Lallana
- Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Neurology Department, Fundación de Investigación Biomédica, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Joan Carreres-Polo
- Neuroradiology Section, Radiology Department, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Sara Eichau-Madueño
- Multiple Sclerosis CSUR Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Seville, Spain
| | - Jaime Ferrer-Lozano
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Lucía Forero
- Neurology Department, Hospital Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Yolanda Higueras
- Neurology Department, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IISGM), Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Experimental Psychology, Cognitive Processes and Speech Therapy, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nieves Téllez Lara
- Neurology Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Angela Vidal-Jordana
- Neurology/Neuroimmunology Department, Centre d'Esclerosi Múltiple de Catalunya (Cemcat), Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Carlos Pérez-Miralles
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Medicine, University of València, Valencia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abstract
The question whether dietary habits and lifestyle have influence on the course of multiple sclerosis (MS) is still a matter of debate, and at present, MS therapy is not associated with any information on diet and lifestyle. Here we show that dietary factors and lifestyle may exacerbate or ameliorate MS symptoms by modulating the inflammatory status of the disease both in relapsing-remitting MS and in primary-progressive MS. This is achieved by controlling both the metabolic and inflammatory pathways in the human cell and the composition of commensal gut microbiota. What increases inflammation are hypercaloric Western-style diets, characterized by high salt, animal fat, red meat, sugar-sweetened drinks, fried food, low fiber, and lack of physical exercise. The persistence of this type of diet upregulates the metabolism of human cells toward biosynthetic pathways including those of proinflammatory molecules and also leads to a dysbiotic gut microbiota, alteration of intestinal immunity, and low-grade systemic inflammation. Conversely, exercise and low-calorie diets based on the assumption of vegetables, fruit, legumes, fish, prebiotics, and probiotics act on nuclear receptors and enzymes that upregulate oxidative metabolism, downregulate the synthesis of proinflammatory molecules, and restore or maintain a healthy symbiotic gut microbiota. Now that we know the molecular mechanisms by which dietary factors and exercise affect the inflammatory status in MS, we can expect that a nutritional intervention with anti-inflammatory food and dietary supplements can alleviate possible side effects of immune-modulatory drugs and the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and thus favor patient wellness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Riccio
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
| | - Rocco Rossano
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
| |
Collapse
|