Serum adiponectin, TNF-α, IL-12p70, and IL-13 levels in multiple sclerosis and the effects of different therapy regimens.
OBJECTIVE
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the human central nervous system. In the present study, we aimed to determine adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-12p70, and IL-13 levels in the sera of patients with MS and to investigate the effects of interferon (IFN), glatiramer acetate (GA), and immunosuppressive treatment regimens on these parameters.


METHODS
Fifty-seven patients with MS and 34 healthy controls were enrolled into the study. Serum cytokine levels were measured using enzyme immunoassay.


RESULTS
Significantly elevated levels of IL-12p70 and IL-13 were found in the sera of patients with MS, but decreased adiponectin levels were found in patients' sera compared to healthy controls. The levels of IL-12p70 and IL-13 in the IFN therapy group were higher than those of the healthy controls. However, the IL-12p70 and IL-13 levels in the GA therapy group were not different from those of the healthy controls. There were no differences with regard to adiponectin levels among the subgroups of patients with MS according to therapy regimen and the healthy controls. At the end of a 2-year follow-up period, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) values were found to be increased in the IFN therapy group but unchanged in the GA therapy group.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that adiponectin, IL-12p70, and IL-13 may play a role in the pathogenesis of MS. Additionally, GA therapy regimens in MS are more effective than IFN therapy with respect to decreasing the levels of IL-12p70 and IL-13 and stabilizing the EDSS value.
Musabak
Ugur
U
Department of Immunology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy and School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. umusabak@hotmail.com
Demirkaya
Seref
S
Genç
Gencer
G
Ilikci
Rahsan Sagkan
RS
Odabasi
Zeki
Z
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000097:blood; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
D052242:Adiponectin; D016207:Cytokines; D018793:Interleukin-13; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D018664:Interleukin-12