Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2001 Dec;103(4):206-211
Yuceyar N, Taşkiran D,
Sağduyu A.
Department of Neurology, Ege University
Medical School Hospital, Bornova 35100, Izmir, Turkey
Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in immune mediated cellular cytotoxicity and inflammatory processes including multiple sclerosis (MS).
We aimed to assess NO production in MS patients and to delineate its involvement in different stages.
The stable end-products of NO; nitrite(NO(2)(-)) and nitrate(NO(3)(-)) were analysed both in serum and CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) of patients with MS and non-inflammatory neurological diseases.
Nitrite levels were quantified by calorimetric assay based on the Griess reaction.
Nitrate levels were examined spectrophotometrically.
MS patients exhibited significantly
increased serum and CSF levels of NO(2)(-)+NO(3)(-) compared with the control
subjects.
CSF NO(2)(-)+NO(3)(-) levels were
raised significantly in MS patients with both relapsing remitting (RR)
and secondary progressive (SP) course.
There was no significant difference
between RR and SP MS patients with regard to NO metabolites.
No significant correlation was found
between NO metabolites and disability score, disease progression index,
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) activity and development of cortical atrophy
on MRI.
This study provides further evidence
for excessive NO production both in CSF and peripheral blood of MS patients.
Excessive CSF NO(2)(-)+NO(3)(-) levels
being more increased than the levels in sera supports pathological inflammatory
process within CNS (central nervous system) in both stages of MS.
Another implication for the role
of NO and INOS inhibitors in the treatment of MS patients with both RR
and SP courses was also suggested.
PMID: 11714562 [PubMed - as supplied
by publisher]