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Identifying clues to molecular etiology of multiple sclerosis in South Indian patients
1Centre for Nanoscience and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Edapally, Kochi 682041, India.
Background:
Environmental risk factors have a dominant role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Unhealthy lifestyle can predispose people to autoimmune diseases. MS was a rare disease in Kerala, but now, we notice frequent cases of MS at the city neurology clinic. Changing lifestyle and associated changes in the level of proinflammatory biomolecules like: leptin, soluble leptin receptor (SLR) and free fatty acids (FA) could be contributing to rise in MS incidence.
Objective:
To identify variations in the levels of bio-molecules: leptin, SLR and FA, between MS patients and matched healthy control.
Method:
Leptin and SLR levels in the blood serum, were estimated using ELISA, while total FA levels, were estimated using an enzyme based calorimetric assay.
Result:
Mean serum FA levels in MS patients (31.39 ± 4.83 nmole/100 μl) were 2.7 fold higher than controls (11.54 ± 2.66 nmoles/100 μl) at more than 99% CI. The differences in mean leptin and SLR levels were not statistically significant.
Conclusion:
MS patients had high level of total FA in their blood. High FA in blood may have a role in MS pathogenesis. More in-depth study is required to understand the precise mechanism by which FA rise in MS blood sample can contribute to pathogenesis.
Insights
Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients exhibit significantly higher levels of free fatty acids (FA) in their blood compared to healthy individuals. These elevated FA levels may play a role in MS pathogenesis, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Environmental factors and lifestyle significantly influence multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis.
- MS incidence is rising in regions like Kerala, potentially linked to lifestyle changes.
- Pro-inflammatory biomolecules, including leptin, soluble leptin receptor (SLR), and free fatty acids (FA), are implicated in disease development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate variations in leptin, SLR, and FA levels between MS patients and healthy controls.
- To explore the potential role of specific biomolecules in the increasing incidence of MS.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from MS patients and healthy controls were analyzed.
- Leptin and SLR levels were quantified using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).
- Total FA levels were determined via an enzyme-based colorimetric assay.
Main Results:
- MS patients displayed a 2.7-fold higher mean serum FA level compared to controls (p < 0.001).
- No statistically significant differences were observed in mean leptin and SLR levels between the groups.
- Elevated FA levels were strongly associated with MS patient status.
Conclusions:
- Multiple sclerosis patients have significantly elevated blood FA levels.
- High FA concentrations in the blood may contribute to the pathogenesis of MS.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the exact mechanisms linking increased FA to MS development.
