title: Myelin composition in acute and chronic multiple sclerosis in relation to cerebral lysosomal activity.
abstract: The neuropathology of 3 cases of acute multiple sclerosis was correlated with biochemical analyses. Astrocytosis was a characteristic feature of the diffuse demyelinating lesions in one case and lymphocytic cuffing characterized the well-defined plaques present in the white matter of the other two cases. No abnormalities were found in the protein or lipid composition of isolated myelin, despite a wide range of recovery. Nevertheless, the gel electrophoretic protein pattern of white matter adjacent to plaque areas showed selective loss of myelin basic protein. Lysosomal acid proteinase and beta-glucuronidase levels were very significantly increased in all white matter samples in which astrocytosis was a major neuropathological feature. Levels were less markedly raised in samples containing discrete active plaques. Enzyme changes were also found in the apparently normal white matter of 2 of the cases. Acid proteinase activity was in the normal range but the activities of beta-glucuronidase and acetylcholine esterase were elevated. The significance of these results in relation to glial cell activity in the early stages of demyelination is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000473:pathology; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009185:Myelin Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000032:analysis*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D009185:Myelin Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D005966:Glucuronidase; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases