| Abstrakt: |
Previous studies have shown that inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers may be associated with demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to evaluate inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Demographic and clinical data were obtained from 16 NMO and 41 MS patients, and 50 healthy controls. The disability of the NMO and MS patients was evaluated using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Peripheral blood samples were collected to measure C-reactive protein (CRP), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG), glucose, and insulin. The homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. All NMO patients were female and, therefore, the MS patients and controls were gender-matched. Characteristics such as age, ethnicity, body mass index, and smoking history were also controlled (p≥0.05). No difference was found in CRP levels between the groups (p≥0.05). MS patients presented higher total cholesterol levels compared with controls (p=0.0021). NMO and MS patients presented higher triglycerides levels (p=0.0044), insulin (p= 0.0070), and HOMA-IR (p= 0.0055) compared with controls. NMO patients presented higher EDSS than MS patients (p=0.0052). High insulin levels (p= 0.0206) and HOMA-IR (p= 0.0607) were independently associated with NMO, while none of the variables were independently associated with MS. Among the NMO patients, a negative correlation was observed between EDSS and glucose levels (r=-0.6349, p= 0.0147) and a positive correlation was observed between EDSS and insulin levels (r= 0.5858, p= 0.0354). The results suggest that metabolic biomarkers may be associated with NMO, with insulin and HOMA-IR independently associated with the disease. Moreover, low levels of glucose and hyperinsulinemia were associated with disability of NMO patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
