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Published on: October 13, 2023
Apolipoprotein E polymorphism interacts with cigarette smoking in progression of multiple sclerosis
A Sena1, R Couderc, V Ferret-Sena
1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, UNL, Lisbon, Portugal. arsena@fcm.unl.pt
European Journal of Neurology
|May 29, 2009
Summary
In women with multiple sclerosis (MS) and the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) E4 variant, smoking was linked to slower disease progression and less disability. These findings suggest a potential protective effect of smoking in this specific MS patient group.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The role of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphism in multiple sclerosis (MS) severity remains debated.
- Cigarette smoking is a potential factor influencing disability progression in MS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between ApoE polymorphism and smoking on disability progression in female MS patients.
- To determine if ApoE genotype modifies the effect of smoking on MS clinical outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Collected smoking history and clinical data (age at onset, disease duration, relapse rate, EDSS, MSSS) from 205 female MS patients.
- Examined ApoE polymorphism and stratified patients by smoking status.
- Analyzed associations between smoking, ApoE genotype, and clinical MS characteristics.
Main Results:
- No overall association between smoking and clinical characteristics in the entire MS cohort.
- In female MS patients with the ApoE E4 isoform, smokers exhibited a significantly lower Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS) compared to non-smokers.
Conclusions:
- Cigarette smoking may offer a protective effect against disease progression and disability accumulation in female MS patients carrying the ApoE E4 isoform.
- Further large-scale longitudinal studies are required to validate these findings.
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