Peripheral levels of selected adipokines in patients with newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. The exact aetiology is unknown. However, genetic and environmental factors are suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of MS. Improper diet, resulting in obesity and metabolic syndrome, can contribute to this disease. Adipokines, secreted by adipose tissue, link the metabolism and immune system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We aimed to assess plasma levels of selected adipokines in newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve individuals with multiple sclerosis. Our group comprised 58 individuals (31 MS patients and 27 controls, matched for age and BMI) without diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidaemia. Circulating adiponectin and all adiponectin fractions, visfatin, and omentin concentrations were measured. Metabolic parameters were also assessed. RESULTS: In MS individuals we observed the following results: higher concentrations of visfatin, lower levels of omentin, and no differences in adiponectin array. There were also correlations between some adipokines and metabolic parameters. After adjustment to BMI, a significant decrease in total adiponectin, high-molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin and omentin, and an increase in medium-molecular-weight (MMW) adiponectin were observed in the group of MS patients when compared to those of the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that adiponectin with its fractions, visfatin, and omentin cannot be considered as causative factors in the early phase of multiple sclerosis. However, the potential role of adipokines in MS is possible because they might be involved in the pathogenesis of MS, regarded as an autoimmune disorder.

Assessment of plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), activity-dependent neurotrophin protein (ADNP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) concentrations in treatment-naïve humans with multiple sclerosis.

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.

Association of copeptin and cortisol in newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis patients.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Obesity may increase the risk of developing MS. The aim of this study was to evaluate copeptin and cortisol plasma levels in newly diagnosed untreated MS patients and to determine whether copeptin and cortisol are related to the patients' clinical statuses. We report that copeptin and cortisol were higher in overweight/obese MS patients. Positive correlations were observed between the two parameters. We conclude that alterations of copeptin and cortisol levels in multiple sclerosis patients may be related to adiposity. An increase in cortisol may also be associated with copeptin secretion.

Plasma chemerin levels in patients with multiple sclerosis.

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.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) in humans with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neuroinflammatory disease of the central nervous system that leads to demyelination and neurodegeneration. VIP and PACAP are structurally related neuropeptides with neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities. To evaluate VIP and PACAP-38 in plasma and CSF in humans in correlation with IL-6, IL-10 and TNFα, we compared 20 MS individuals with 27 healthy controls. In MS, a decrease in PACAP-38 in CSF and a decrease in plasma IL-6 concentration were seen. A positive correlation between plasma VIP and plasma IL-6 was identified. We conclude that VIP and PACAP may influence the course of MS.