Sodium intake is associated with increased disease activity in multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neuroimmunology
• Dietary impact on autoimmune diseases

Background:

• Salt influences T helper 17 (Th17) cell differentiation.
• High-sodium diets exacerbate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice.
• The impact of sodium intake on multiple sclerosis (MS) remains uninvestigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between salt consumption and disease activity in multiple sclerosis patients.

Main Methods:

• Observational study estimating sodium intake via urinary excretion in 70 relapsing-remitting MS patients over 2 years.
• Regression analysis to assess sodium's effect on MS disease activity.
• Replication of findings in an independent cohort of 52 MS patients.

Main Results:

• Positive correlation found between sodium intake and exacerbation rates, adjusted for multiple factors.
• Patients with medium or high sodium intake showed significantly higher exacerbation rates compared to low-intake group.
• High sodium intake correlated with a 3.4-fold increased chance of new MRI lesions and more T2 lesions.

Conclusions:

• Elevated sodium intake is associated with greater clinical and radiological disease activity in multiple sclerosis.
• Findings suggest dietary sodium may be a modifiable factor in MS progression.