Uric acid (UA) is an endogenous antioxidant. Some studies have described that multiple sclerosis (MS) patients have lower serum UA levels than controls, although it has not been established whether UA is primarily deficient, or secondarily reduced due to its scavenging activity. UA has also been proposed as an indicator of disease activity. We, retrospectively, reviewed 478 serum UA levels obtained in 94 MS patients. Ninety samples were collected during a relapse. Correlation between UA levels obtained during a relapse or in a relapse-free period, and comparison between UA and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score was tested using a two-tailed Student's t test and Spearman correlation coefficients test. UA levels were significantly lower when measured during a relapse (n 90) than in a remission period (n 368) (r -0.16, p 0.003) UA levels measured outside a relapse inversely correlated with EDSS score (r -0.15, p 0.001). Lower uric acid levels in MS patients are associated with clinical relapse. This is the first description of an inverse correlation of serum UA levels with disability as assessed by EDSS score.
Findings of a recent meta-analysis have not supported a role for APOE in MS susceptibility or severity. We have not found, in our data, any influence of this gene in the RRMS response to INFbeta. However, larger series would be required to validate these results.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.