[Anti-human herpes virus-6 antibodies titer in patients with multiple sclerosis in Markazy Province]

Multiple sclerosis [MS] is a auto-immune disease of central nervous system. The etiology of MS is unknown, but environmental factors such as viruses are involved in the development of MS. In this study, MS patients were assessed for antibodies titers against Human Herpes virus-6 [HHV-6] in Markazi Province. In this case-control study, 31 new cases of MS patients and 60 healthy subjects were selected with similar demographic criteria such as sex, age and location. Antibodies titer [IgM and IgG] against HHV-6 were examined by ELISA and Immunofluorescence methods. Data were analyzed using Logistic regression and Odds ratio. Data indicates that 74.2% of case group and 34.2% of control group were identified as positive for IgM against HHV-6. The difference between the two groups in terms of IgM against HHv-6 was statistically significant [p=0.001]. Incidence of IgM positivity against HHV-6 was increased more than five times in MS patients compared to control group. Also there was a statistically significant difference between case and control groups in IgG titer [p=0.019]. Acute infection of HHV-6 is a risk factor for MS

Effect of simvastatin on evolution of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in C57BL/6 mice

Simvastatin is an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase and widely used as cholesterol-lowering agent. It is a promising candidate for future treatment in multiple sclerosis [MS], as it has been shown to exhibit immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. This study examined the effect of simvastatin on the evolution of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis [EAE], as an animal model for MS. EAE was induced by immunization of 8 week old C57BL/6 mice with MOG35-55 peptide with complete Freunds adjuvant. Therapy with simvastatin [1mg/kg/every day given as oral] was started on day 3 before the immunization until 25 day after immunization Total antioxidant capacity [TAC] was assessed by ferric reducing-antioxidant power [FRAP] method. Nitric oxide [NO] production was also estimated by Griess reaction. The results show that simvastatin-treated mice had significantly less incidence and clinical score of EAE than non-treated [control] EAE induced mice [p=0.001 and p=0.0001, respectively]. Moreover, treated mice displayed a significantly delayed disease onset compared with control mice. Simvastatin significantly increased TAC and level serum uric acid [p=0.001], but had no effect on serum nitrite production. Our results suggest that simvastatin therapy may be effective in the prevention of symptomatic EAE. This resistance to encephalomyelitis may be associated with the inhibition of oxidative stress and the increase of antioxidant capacity

[ comparsion of nortriptiline and vit B12 effects on diabetic neuropathy]

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent disease in the world.Today there are 100 milion diabetics around the world and in Iran it is about 1.5 milion. The prevalence of symptomatic neuropathy is 15% but with NCV it will increase to 50%. Regarding the suffer produced by neuropathy and that there is no effective treatment for that, this is necessary to investigate new treatment options. This is a clinical trial study, done during a 3 months period in vali-e-asr hospital in year 2004. 100 diabetic patients were selected randomly and divided into two equal groups. A complete sensorimotor assessment was performed and a questionnaire consisting history and clinical symptoms including limb pain, murmur and paresthesia and examinations such as pin prink test, position and vibration assessment, was completed. NCV was also done and blood sugar and HbAlc was measured. In case group 2000 micrograms vit B12 was prescribed twice weekly and in control group 10mg nortiptiline every night was prescribed. After 3 months patients were assessed again. Data was analysed using mean and standard deviation and Chi square, K-S, Leven, T and Mann Whitney tests. Based on visual analage scale the difference between pain number before and after treatment was decreased 3.66 [3.66-4.25] in case and 0.48 [0.54-1.13] in control group [P< 0.0001]. Also the difference between paresthesia number before and after treatment was decreased 2.98 [2.51-3.44] in case and 1.06 [064-1.47] in control group [P< 0.001]. The differene between murmur number before and after treatment was decreased 3.48 [2.93-4.02] in case and 3.48 [2.93-4.02] in control group [P< 0.001]. There was no significant difference between NCV, vibration, position and pin prink test results. Changes in clinical symptoms in case group in comparison to those in control group was significant, but change in physical assessment findings [pin prink, Position, vibration and NCV] was not significant