[TNF-alpha and soluble TNF receptor p55 in patients wtih multiple sclerosis]

In 60 patients with relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as in 20 controls, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor I (sTNF-RI) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and sera were detected. The results were compared with EDSS. The purpose of the study was also an evaluation if TNF-alpha and/or sTNF-RI could be markers in steroid therapy monitoring in MS patients. There was an increase of sTNF-RI in the CSF of MS patients compared with control group. The level of sTNF-RI correlated positively with TNF-alpha in the CSF of relapsing-remitting MS patients. There was no correlation between TNF-alpha as well as sTNF-RI and EDSS. There was a decrease of TNF-alpha, sTNF-RI and total lesion area in MRI after steroid therapy, but the differences did not reach statistical significance.