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Raised serum nitrate and nitrite levels in patients with multiple sclerosis
G Giovannoni1, S J Heales, N C Silver
1Department of Neuroimmunology, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK.
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Elevated nitric oxide metabolites are found in patients with multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory neurological diseases. This suggests nitric oxide plays a role in the immune system
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Neurology
- Inflammatory Diseases
Background:
- Nitric oxide and peroxynitrite are implicated in neuronal damage in multiple sclerosis.
- Their role in inflammatory neurological diseases requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the levels of nitric oxide metabolites in patients with various neurological conditions.
- To determine the association between nitric oxide metabolites and multiple sclerosis pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study design.
- Measurement of serum nitrate and nitrite levels.
- Comparison between patients with demyelinating diseases, AIDS, inflammatory neurological disease, non-inflammatory neurological disease, and healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Serum nitrate and nitrite levels were significantly higher in patients with demyelinating disease, AIDS, and inflammatory neurological disease compared to controls (p < 0.001).
- Elevated nitric oxide metabolites were observed across all multiple sclerosis subtypes and clinically isolated syndromes.
- Levels did not correlate with disease progression or disability.
Conclusions:
- The findings support a role for nitric oxide in the immunopathogenesis of central nervous system inflammatory diseases, including multiple sclerosis.
- Nitric oxide may be a significant factor in the inflammatory processes underlying these conditions.