INTRODUCTION: Relapses of multiple sclerosis (MS) are usually treated with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP), given over 3-10 days. There is no consensus on the optimal duration of treatment. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether longer treatment provides additional short-term clinical benefits assessed by the change in plasma cytokine levels and EDSS scores in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). METHODS: Forty RRMS patients during relapse were grouped into 3 and treated with 1 g/day of IVMP for either 5, 7, or 10 consecutive days. RESULTS: Levels of IL-10 and IL-12 were analyzed, and EDSS scores were noted before treatment, after treatment (on days 6, 8, or 11) and at the 4th week. IVMP treatment significantly induced anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels but had no effect on IL-12 levels. IVMP treatment for 7 or 10 consecutive days was not significantly different than that for 5 days in terms of the change in IL-12, IL-10 levels or clinical outcome. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, pulse high-dose IVMP treatment enhances functional recovery in patients with acute relapses of RRMS. In addition, IVMP treatment significantly increases the levels of IL-10 but has no effect on the levels of IL-12 in the short term.
INTRODUCTION: Relapses of multiple sclerosis (MS) are usually treated with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP), given over 3-10 days. There is no consensus on the optimal duration of treatment. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether longer treatment provides additional short-term clinical benefits assessed by the change in plasma cytokine levels and EDSS scores in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). METHODS: Forty RRMS patients during relapse were grouped into 3 and treated with 1 g/day of IVMP for either 5, 7, or 10 consecutive days. RESULTS: Levels of IL-10 and IL-12 were analyzed, and EDSS scores were noted before treatment, after treatment (on days 6, 8, or 11) and at the 4th week. IVMP treatment significantly induced anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels but had no effect on IL-12 levels. IVMP treatment for 7 or 10 consecutive days was not significantly different than that for 5 days in terms of the change in IL-12, IL-10 levels or clinical outcome. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, pulse high-dose IVMP treatment enhances functional recovery in patients with acute relapses of RRMS. In addition, IVMP treatment significantly increases the levels of IL-10 but has no effect on the levels of IL-12 in the short term.
Authors: F Sellebjerg; D Barnes; G Filippini; R Midgard; X Montalban; P Rieckmann; K Selmaj; L H Visser; P S Sørensen Journal: Eur J Neurol Date: 2005-12 Impact factor: 6.089