For study of antioxidant therapy efficiency in relapsing-remitting multiple
sclerosis we investigated group 1 (18 patients) treated with alpha-lipoic
acid and group 2 (14 patients) who received complex of antioxidants and
neuroprotectors with various mechanisms of action (oc-lipoic acid,
Nicotinamide, Acetylcysteine, Triovit Beta-carotine, Alpha-tocopheryl
acetate, Ascorbic acid, Selenium, Pentoxifylline, Cerebrolysin, Amantadine
hydrochloride) during 1 month, 2 times a year. The treatment resulted in
significant reduction (2-3 times) of relapse frequency in multiple sclerosis
patients (especially in group 2) and decrease of required corticosteroid
courses. After antioxidant therapy the content of lipid peroxide products
was significantly reduced (most expressed in group 2). The improved method
of multicomponent antioxidant and neuroprotective therapy can be considered
as pathogenic threatment in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
The role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis: the
need for effective antioxidant therapy.
Gilgun-Sherki Y, Melamed E, Offen D
J Neurol 2004 Mar 251:261-8
Abstract
Accumulating data indicate that oxidative stress (OS) plays a major role in
the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Reactive oxygen species (ROS),
leading to OS, generated in excess primarily by macrophages, have been
implicated as mediators of demyelination and axonal damage in both MS and
experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), its animal model. ROS cause
damage to cardinal cellular components such as lipids, proteins and nucleic
acids (e. g., RNA, DNA), resulting in cell death by necrosis or apoptosis.
In addition, weakened cellular antioxidant defense systems in the central
nervous system (CNS) in MS, and its vulnerability to ROS effects may
increase damage. Thus, treatment with antioxidants might theoretically
prevent propagation of tissue damage and improve both survival and
neurological outcome. Indeed, several experimental studies have been
performed to see whether dietary intake of several antioxidants prevents or
reduces the progression of EAE. Although a few antioxidants showed some
efficacy in these studies, little information is available on the effect of
treatments with such compounds in patients with MS. Well-designed clinical
studies using antioxidant intake, as well as investigations based on larger
cohorts studied over a longer periods of time, are needed in order to assess
whether antioxidant intake together with other conventional treatments,
might be beneficial in treating MS.
Author Address
Laboratory of Neurosciences, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, The
Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petach Tikva 49100, Israel.
