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Extraocular blood flow and endothelin-1 plasma levels in patients with multiple sclerosis
Mona Pache1, Hedwig J Kaiser, Nino Akhalbedashvili
1University Eye Clinic Basel, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Abstract:
In order to evaluate whether plasma levels of the potent vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1) are increased in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and whether these patients exhibit an ET-1-mediated vascular dysregulation, ET-1 plasma levels were measured in 30 patients with MS. Blood flow velocities in the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, central retinal vein, short lateral posterior ciliary artery, and short medial posterior ciliary artery were assessed in parallel. ET-1 plasma levels were significantly increased in MS patients when compared to sex- and age-matched healthy controls (2.0 +/- 0.4 pg/ml, range 1.1-2.8 vs. 1.5 +/- 0.2 pg/ml, range 0.9-2.0; p < 0.001). Moreover, the patients exhibited significant alterations of extraocular blood flow. The role of ET-1 in the inflammatory process remains to be clarified.
Insights
Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients show elevated plasma levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor. This suggests ET-1 may contribute to vascular dysregulation observed in MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Vascular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the central nervous system.
- Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor with potential roles in inflammatory and vascular processes.
- Vascular dysregulation may be implicated in the pathophysiology of MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels are elevated in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
- To determine if MS patients exhibit vascular dysregulation potentially mediated by ET-1.
- To assess blood flow velocities in key ocular vessels in MS patients.
Main Methods:
- Plasma ET-1 levels were measured in 30 MS patients and compared to sex- and age-matched healthy controls.
- Blood flow velocities were assessed in the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, central retinal vein, and posterior ciliary arteries.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare ET-1 levels and blood flow data between groups.
Main Results:
- MS patients had significantly higher plasma ET-1 levels compared to healthy controls (2.0 +/- 0.4 pg/ml vs. 1.5 +/- 0.2 pg/ml, p < 0.001).
- Significant alterations in extraocular blood flow were observed in MS patients.
- A correlation between elevated ET-1 and altered vascular parameters was suggested.
Conclusions:
- Plasma ET-1 levels are significantly increased in patients with multiple sclerosis.
- Elevated ET-1 may contribute to the observed vascular dysregulation in MS.
- Further research is needed to clarify the specific role of ET-1 in the inflammatory processes of MS.