Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
Volume 105 Issue 1 Page 63 - January
2002
I. S. Neu, G. Metzger, J. Zschocke,
R. Zelezny & E. Mayatepek
Objectives
The role of leukotrienes (LTs) in
the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been controversially
discussed in the past. Studies of LTs in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
revealed different results mainly because of analytical difficulties.
Material and methods
In the present study we used highly
sensitive and specific analytical methods for measuring LTs in the CSF
as well as in urine samples from 20 patients with active MS and 20 control
patients with noninflammatory neurological disorders.
Results
LTB4 concentrations in CSF were almost
twice as high in MS patients compared with controls (P < 0.001). CSF
concentrations of the cysteinyl-LTs (LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4) as well as urinary
LTE4 showed no significant differences compared with controls (P > 0.05).
In addition, there was no significant association between CSF pleocytosis,
clinical severity or time of disease onset.
Conclusions
The increased concentration of LTB4
in the CSF of MS patients may indicate a biological importance for this
mediator in MS.