Increased serum fibroblast growth factor 2 levels, altered peripheral blood inflammatory indicators and their ratios...

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor neuron degeneration, leading to muscle weakness, atrophy, and ultimately respiratory failure. Previous research has highlighted the roles of neurotrophic factors and inflammatory responses in ALS pathogenesis; however, their interplay remains poorly understood. This exploratory study aims to elucidate the expression characteristics and correlations of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and peripheral blood inflammatory indicators (PBIIs) such as derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) and systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) in ALS patients.

This was a prospective case-control study, involving ALS patients meeting Gold Coast diagnostic criteria and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). Serum FGF2 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and PBIIs were assessed through routine blood analysis. Statistical analysis was conducted mainly using intergroup comparison, correlation analysis, and multivariate linear regression.

The results showed significantly elevated levels of FGF2 and PBIIs in ALS patients compared to HCs, with strong correlations between FGF2, PBIIs, clinical staging, and disease progression rates. In multivariate linear regression analysis, PBIIs, especially SIRI, were significantly associated with disease severity and early disease progression. While serum FGF2 and FGF2 to dNLR ratio demonstrated potential as an auxiliary biomarker for later-stage disease.

These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying ALS and suggest practical diagnostic and prognostic tools, reinforcing the importance of targeting neurotrophic and inflammatory pathways in ALS management. This study holds significant promise for advancing both clinical practice and future research endeavors in the field.