Plasma gangliosides in multiple sclerosis

The total concentration and the relative distribution of gangliosides isolated from plasma of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and controls were determined. The fatty acid and hexose constituents of GM(3) were also determined. GM(3) was found to be the major plasma ganglioside in both the MS and control groups. The total plasma ganglioside concentration, expressed as N-acetylneuraminic acid (sialic acid), was significantly lower in the MS group than in the control group. No difference was observed in the various ganglioside fractions between the two groups. Analyses by gas-liquid chromatography of the relative per cent composition of the fatty acids of the GM(3)-gangliosides revealed no significant differences between the two groups. Analyses of the hexose moieties of the GM(3)-gangliosides of the MS group revealed the presence of only glucose and galactose in a 1:1 ratio.