Plasma homocysteine levels in patients with multiple sclerosis in the Greek population

Abstract 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) patient...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the Chinese Medical Association 2013-11, Vol.76 (11), p.611-614
Main Authors: Kararizou, Evangelia, Paraskevas, George, Triantafyllou, Nikolaos, Koutsis, George, Evangelopoulos, Maria E, Mandellos, Dimitrios, Sfagos, Constantinos, Kapaki, Elisabeth
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Female
Greece
homocysteine
Homocystine - blood
Humans
Internal Medicine
Male
multiple sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis - blood
vitamin B12
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Summary:Abstract 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.
ISSN:1726-4901
1728-7731
DOI:10.1016/j.jcma.2013.07.002