The scientific basis of multiple sclerosis

Red blood cell fatty acids in multiple sclerosis

The fatty acid (FA) composition of each phospholipid constituent of the red blood cells (RBC) was analyzed, by thin-layer and gas chromatography techniques, in 61 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and 61 normal subjects, in whom the plasma lipid FA composition had previously been studied. The MS patients showed a significant decrease in the proportions of linoleic and arachidonic acids in most phospholipids, with a compensatory increase of saturated FA. Correlations between FA percentages in plasma and cell lipids demonstrated abnormalities in the MS patients, suggestive of a disturbance in the exchange between these compartments. The alterations reported in plasma and RBC in the MS patients are consistent with a relative deficiency of essential FA.

The presence of aldehyde-reacted proteins in normal and multiple sclerosis white matter

The incorporation of tritium from NaB3H4 into the major protein components of myelin and the presence of weak fluorescence emission bands at wavelengths of approximately 440 and 500 nm from sodium dodecyl sulfate-solubilized, delipidated white matter are indicative of the presence of the products of aldehyde reactions with proteins. The incorporation of tritium from NaB3H4 into myelin proteins was confirmed by reaction with purified components of myelin basic protein or with lipophilin, a purified fraction of proteolipid protein. From the extent of tritium incorporation into the purified proteins, it is estimated that approximately 0.2 mol of tritium is incorporated/mol of myelin basic protein and approximately 0.4 mol of tritium/mol of proteolipid protein. There is approximately 50% greater incorporation of tritium into a more degraded, less positively charged form of the basic protein. The incorporation of tritium into normal and multiple sclerosis white matter was compared. There is a small but statistically significant difference in the percentage of the total counts incorporated into the major protein fractions for the two groups, with the multiple sclerosis samples showing a higher percentage of the counts in the Wolfgram protein and a lower percentage in the myelin basic protein compared with the normal samples.

Prostaglandin levels in cerebrospinal fluid from multiple sclerosis patients in remission and relapse

Radioimmunoassay (RIA) techniques have been employed to determine prostaglandin (PG) levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in remission and relapse and in subjects with other neurological diseases (OND). PGE and PGF2 alpha concentrations in spinal fluid from MS patients in relapse were significantly lower than values estimated during remission and in individuals with OND of the central nervous system (CNS). These observations are discussed in relation to the clinical state of patients with demyelinating disease together with a consideration of the concept that disordered immune mechanisms contribute a central role in the pathogenesis of MS.

Histamine and histamine-N-methyltransferase in the CSF of patients with multiple sclerosis

The CSF of twenty-six patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and of twelve control persons was analysed for histamine and histamine-N-methyltransferase (HMT) activity. Both in patients with remitting and progressive type of disease the histamine level was about 60% higher than in the controls. On the other hand in both groups of patients the HMT activity was significantly lower (32% and 40% respectively) than that of controls. These results suggest an altered histamine metabolism in MS. This might be associated with the immune reaction in MS brain.

Protection against experimental allergic neuritis with silica quartz dust

Lewis rats sensitized against peripheral nervous system antigens can be protected against experimental allergic neuritis (EAN) by the intraperitoneal injection of silica quartz dust. Two doses of 200 mg silica given 8 and 11 days post-inoculation (dpi) protected against the development of both clinical and pathological disease. A single dose of 200 mg silica 8 dpi gave significant protection against clinical disease but all animals developed pathological signs. A single injection of 200 mg silica 11 dpi, after the onset of early signs, protected against further progression of disease. The protection was long lasting. Given the known toxic effects of silica for macrophages, these results would support the conclusion that macrophages function during the effector stage in the clinical and pathological expression of EAN in the Lewis rat.

Annotation. Recent biochemical and immunological observations in multiple sclerosis

As there is evidence of early biochemical and histological changes in the normal-appearing white matter in MS, which appear to be independent of or precede demyelination, the formation of plaques may be incidental to a more primary lesion. The finding of persistently increased levels of IgG in the CSF of patients with MS points to an ongoing immune reaction in the CNS, possible against an infective agent; but virus-specific antibodies account for only a small proportion of IgG in the CSF. Furthermore, in vitro assays of T cell function suggest that there may be a regulator T cell defect in MS. Salk and colleagues (1980) have postulated that MS may be a disorder, attributable to multiple inducing agents, which is potentiated through deregulation of lymphocyte function.