Serum and saliva total tau protein as a marker for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is considered as motor and sensory function loss, which results from demyelination and following axonal lesion. Tau protein interferes in the construction and stabilization of microtubules that are needed for axonal transport. We hypothesize that the level of tau protein alters in MS, so we examined the level of total tau protein in serum, stimulated and unstimulated saliva as a suitable biomarker for detecting of relapsing-remitting MS. A case-control study was carried out in 30 healthy women and 30 who suffer MS and were hospitalized in Imam Reza hospital, Tehran, Iran. Total tau protein level was assayed in serum and stimulated and unstimulated whole saliva. Total tau protein was expressed at a lower level in serum of MS patients compared to control groups. The serum total tau protein level negatively correlated with EDSS. There was no significant difference in saliva total tau protein between MS and healthy individuals. Moreover, there was no significant correlation between saliva and serum total tau protein and between saliva total tau protein and EDSS. The serum level of tau protein is lower in MS and it may be considered as a potential biomarker in Multiple sclerosis. However, it seems that tau protein in the saliva isn't a suitable biomarker for detection of MS.