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Journal Article 2015; 36(2): 148-152 PubMed PMID: 26071584 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor:blood, Female, Homeodomain Proteins:blood, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Multiple Sclerosis:blood, Nerve Tissue Proteins:blood, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide:blood, Young Adult,.   

OBJECTIVE: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by coexisting processes of inflammation, demyelination, axonal neurodegeneration and gliosis. Autoimmune processes play a pivotal role in the disease. The immune system may be modulated by neurotrophins and neurotrophin factors. Aim of the study was to assess plasma levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), activity-dependent neurotrophin protein (ADNP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in treatment-naïve humans with newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis. We also elucidated the potential influence of selected inflammatory agents on peripheral concentration of BDNF and ADNP.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population comprised of 31 untreated patients with MS and 36 controls from a single hospital centre. Assessment of BDNF and ADNP was performed with use of ELISA methods. VIP was measured with RIA. Selected cytokine levels (IL 6, IL 10, and TNF α) were evaluated with ELISA tests. Statistical analyses were performed.

RESULTS: We failed to find any significant differences between ADNP, BDNF, VIP, CRP levels and concentration of cytokines between individuals with MS and the controls. No correlation was observed between ADNP, BDNF and VIP as the first parameter and CRP, IL 6, IL 10, TNFα levels and the Expanded Disability Status Scale score in MS.

CONCLUSIONS: Newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve patients with MS have comparable levels of plasma BDNF, ADNP and VIP to those of healthy controls....

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Journal Article 2014; 35(3): 218-223 PubMed PMID: 24977972 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Case-Control Studies, Chemokines:blood, Female, Humans, Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins, Male, Middle Aged, Multiple Sclerosis:blood, Obesity:blood, Overweight:blood, Thinness:blood, Young Adult,.   

OBJECTIVES: Chemerin, a novel adipokine produced by adipose tissue and liver, is associated with markers of metabolic syndrome, and additionally, acting as chemoattractant for cells of immune system it may regulate immune cell properties.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: In order to evaluate plasma chemerin concentration in multiple sclerosis (MS) individuals we investigated 39 MS patients (among them 23 subjects were lean and 16 were overweight or obese) and 42 controls with tension headaches (29 of them were lean and 13 were overweight or obese). All patients had a brain MRI scan with gadolinium contrast as well as an assessment of the presence of oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and estimation of the CSF IgG index. The neurologic status was evaluated with use of the Expanded Disability Status Scale. Chemerin levels in plasma were measured using ELISA kit. Lipid profile, glucose and insulin levels, CRP and selected cytokine concentrations were also determined.

RESULTS: Plasma chemerin concentrations in overweight/obese MS subjects were higher when comparing to lean MS individuals and the controls, both from lean and overweight/obese subgroups. Significant difference was found between the results of overweight/obese MS and lean controls.

CONCLUSIONS: An increase of chemerin levels in patients with multiple sclerosis is associated with overweight and obesity....

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Journal Article 2008; 29(2): 256-260 PubMed PMID: 18404143 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Complement System Proteins:analysis, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Multiple Sclerosis:blood, Neuromyelitis Optica:blood, Thyroxine:blood, Triiodothyronine:blood,.   

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess serum levels of thyroid hormones (TH) and complement C3, C4, CH50 in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO), and investigate whether there is a correlation between serum TH and complement factors in these patients.

METHODS: One hundred and eighty-eight MS patients and sixty-five NMO patients were included in this study. The levels of serum TH were measured by magnetic antibody enzyme linking immunoassay and complement C3, C4 and CH50 were determined by immunoturbidimetry.

RESULTS: The levels of TT4, complement C4 and CH50 in the serum were significantly higher in NMO patients than that in the MS. There were no significant differences in serum TT3, FT3, FT4 concentrations between NMO and MS patient. In MS patients, significant correlations between mean EDSS levels and serum C3 (r=0.223, p=0.014), and serum C4 (r=0.216, p=0.017) were found, and serum TT3 was positively correlated with serum CH50 (r=0.342, p=0.01). In NMO patients, the positive association between serum FT4 and C4 (r=0.533, p=0.006) were also found.

CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that NMO patients has different serum TH and complement C3, C4 and CH50 levels from MS patients, and that serum TH levels is correlated with CH50 and C4 in these patients, suggesting TH may play a different role in modulating the complement activation in MS and NMO....

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