BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the role of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) as a possible risk factor for several diseases of the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to determine the plasma levels of Hcy in a group of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients from a Greek population and the possible correlation with age, disability status, activity or duration of disease, sex, and treatment. METHODS: The MS group that was studied consisted of 46 patients and a total of 42 healthy individuals served as a control group. Plasma Hcy levels were determined by means of high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection, after precolumn derivatization with 4-Fluoro-7-aminosulfonylbenzofurazan (ABD-F). RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed that, in the MS patients, Hcy levels were not significantly different as compared to those in the controls. Men presented with higher Hcy levels than women in the MS group; however, age, disease subtype, disease duration, relapse rate, and Expanded Disability Status Scale score/Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score did not significantly affect Hcy levels in MS patients. CONCLUSION: The preliminary data suggest that Hcy levels were not elevated in our sample of Greek MS patients, which does not support previous findings of a significant correlation between elevated serum Hcy levels and MS. Further studies to establish a possible association between MS and Hcy levels in the context of different ethnic groups with different habits are needed.
BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the role of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) as a possible risk factor for several diseases of the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to determine the plasma levels of Hcy in a group of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients from a Greek population and the possible correlation with age, disability status, activity or duration of disease, sex, and treatment. METHODS: The MS group that was studied consisted of 46 patients and a total of 42 healthy individuals served as a control group. Plasma Hcy levels were determined by means of high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection, after precolumn derivatization with 4-Fluoro-7-aminosulfonylbenzofurazan (ABD-F). RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed that, in the MSpatients, Hcy levels were not significantly different as compared to those in the controls. Men presented with higher Hcy levels than women in the MS group; however, age, disease subtype, disease duration, relapse rate, and Expanded Disability Status Scale score/Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score did not significantly affect Hcy levels in MSpatients. CONCLUSION: The preliminary data suggest that Hcy levels were not elevated in our sample of Greek MSpatients, which does not support previous findings of a significant correlation between elevated serum Hcy levels and MS. Further studies to establish a possible association between MS and Hcy levels in the context of different ethnic groups with different habits are needed.
Authors: Sigurgeir Olafsson; Pernilla Stridh; Steffan Daniël Bos; Andres Ingason; Jack Euesden; Patrick Sulem; Gudmar Thorleifsson; Omar Gustafsson; Ari Johannesson; Arni J Geirsson; Arni V Thorsson; Bardur Sigurgeirsson; Bjorn Runar Ludviksson; Elias Olafsson; Helga Kristjansdottir; Jon G Jonasson; Jon Hjaltalin Olafsson; Kjartan B Orvar; Rafn Benediktsson; Ragnar Bjarnason; Sjofn Kristjansdottir; Thorarinn Gislason; Trausti Valdimarsson; Evgenia Mikaelsdottir; Snaevar Sigurdsson; Stefan Jonsson; Thorunn Rafnar; Dag Aarsland; Srdjan Djurovic; Tormod Fladby; Gun Peggy Knudsen; Elisabeth G Celius; Kjell-Morten Myhr; Gerdur Grondal; Kristjan Steinsson; Helgi Valdimarsson; Sigurdur Bjornsson; Unnur S Bjornsdottir; Einar S Bjornsson; Bjorn Nilsson; Ole A Andreassen; Lars Alfredsson; Jan Hillert; Ingrid Skelton Kockum; Gisli Masson; Unnur Thorsteinsdottir; Daniel F Gudbjartsson; Hreinn Stefansson; Haukur Hjaltason; Hanne F Harbo; Tomas Olsson; Ingileif Jonsdottir; Kari Stefansson Journal: NPJ Genom Med Date: 2017-08-08 Impact factor: 8.617