Several findings suggest lower levels of serum uric acid in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The aim of this study is to investigate relationships of uric acid serum levels in relapse-remitting (RR) MS patients with clinical activity of disease and blood-brain barrier (BBB) condition. Sixty-three definite RRMS patients and 40 controls divided into two groups: 20 healthy donors and 20 patients with other inflammatory neurological diseases (OINDs) were analysed. By using a quantitative enzymatic assay according to the manufacture's protocol and a commercial uric acid standard solution, serum uric acid levels were measured and the results were standardized. To investigate BBB function, magnetic resonance imaging after administration of gadolinium was used. MS patients were found to have significantly lower serum uric acid levels (193.89 +/- 49.05 micromol/l; mean value +/-SD) in comparison with healthy donors (292.7 +/- 58.65 micromol/l; P=0.000) and OIND patients (242.7 +/- 46.66 micromol/l; P=0.001). We found that MS patients with relapse had significantly lower serum uric acid levels (161.49 +/- 23.61 micromol/l) than MS patients with remission (234.39 +/- 41.96 micromol/l; P=0.000) and more over, MS patients with BBB disruption had significantly lower serum uric acid levels (163.95 +/- 26.07 micromol/l) than those with normal BBB (252.48 +/- 25.94 micromol/l; P=0.000). Further, we also found that serum uric acid level independently correlated with disease activity, BBB disruption, and gender. These results indicate that lower uric acid levels in MS patients are associated with relapse and suggest that uric acid might be beneficial in the treatment of MS.

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Uric acid, which is the final product of purine nucleoside metabolism, is a strong peroxynitrite scavenger. Several studies report on lower serum uric acid levels in multiple sclerosis. In this study, we investigated serum uric acid levels before and after high-dose methylprednisolone treatment (intravenous 1 g/day/5 days) in multiple sclerosis patients. Blood samples from 25 definite multiple sclerosis patients (11 male and 14 female) before and after methylprednisolone treatment (days 0, 6 and 30) and from 20 healthy donors (9 male and 11 female) were analyzed. Serum uric acid levels were measured using a quantitative enzymatic assay (Elitech diagnostics, Sees, France) according to the manufacturer's protocol, and the results were standardized using a commercial uric acid standard solution. We observed significantly increased serum uric acid levels 1 day after the termination of the therapy (day 6). These differences were sustained for 30 days after starting treatment (during remission period). Mean serum uric acid levels were significantly higher in the control group. These results suggest that increasing the uric acid concentration may represent one of the possible mechanisms of action of methylprednisolone in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Alkaline phosphatase is a glycoprotein that catalyzes two kinds of chemical reactions: hydrolysis of phosphorus ester breaking P-O bonds and phospho-transfer reactions in which phosphoric group is transferred to an acceptor molecule. In the human body, ALP exists in multiple molecular forms whose heterogeneity is partly due to genetic factors and partly to posttranslational modifications. The aim was to evaluate a total ALP activity and its isoforms in cancer patients with bone and liver metastasis in comparison to healthy controls. Methods: Human serum was collected from 20 healthy individuals, and 20 cancer patients with bone and liver metastases, with metastases confirmed by ultrasound, computerized tomography and a radiology scan. Determination of ALP was done by the endpoint spectrophotometric method. Isoenzymes were determined by heat inactivation method. Results: In cancer patients, the total ALP activity was significantly higher (p< 0.05) compared to healthy controls. In the sera of cancer patients with liver metastases, the remaining ALP activity was two-fold higher in comparison to bone metastases. Conclusion: Determination of ALP isoenzymes is important but a correct clinical interpretation in the context of other analyses is vital for a proper diagnosis of a disease. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br.175056

A continuous increase of patients with hypertension, coupled with the developed complications and increase in cardiovascular diseases as a cause of death, points to the lack of effective access to prevention and early detection of these diseases in the primary health care among the risk groups in Sumadija.