Alpha-tocopherol and NADPH in the erythrocytes and plasma of multiple sclerosis patients. Effect of interferon-beta-1b treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influence of interferon-beta-1b (INF-beta-1b) therapy on blood antioxidants (alpha-tocopherol and NADPH) in multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
Patients with relapsing-remitting MS (n = 14) have been studied during 6 months of INF-beta-1b therapy. alpha-Tocopherol was determined by HPLC and UV or electrochemical detection; NADPH was quantified spectrophotometrically.


RESULTS
The erythrocyte alpha-tocopherol level was reduced (p < 0.001) before treatment, but had regained the control level by 6 months of therapy. The plasma alpha-tocopherol/lipid ratios were constant during therapy. Plasma triglyceride levels were transiently increased (p = 0.0270) after 1 month of treatment. INF-beta-1b had also induced a transient decrease in NADPH after 1 month, but thereafter the level returned to approximately the initial value (p = 0.0248).


CONCLUSIONS
INF-beta-1b seems to exert a sparing effect toward the erythrocyte alpha-tocopherol content. The fall in NADPH in parallel to the rise in plasma triglycerides suggests stimulation of fatty acid synthesis by INF-beta-1b.
Karg
Eszter
E
Department of Pediatrics, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
Klivenyi
Peter
P
Bencsik
Krisztina
K
Turi
Sandor
S
Vecsei
Laszlo
L
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004563:Electrochemistry; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009249:NADP / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood*
D014280:Triglycerides; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D009249:NADP; D016899:Interferon-beta; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol