title: The effect of vitamin A supplementation on stimulated T-cell proliferation with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein in patients with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease whereby myelin sheath of the central nervous system is destroyed. Vitamin A is known to play a role in the immune system. It has been recognized that some metabolites of vitamin A can be used effectively to treat experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The effect of vitamin A as retinyl palmitate on T-cell proliferation in MS patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is a double blind clinical trial of two test groups over a period of 6 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty five multiple sclerosis (MS) patients were divided into two groups. One group received 25,000 IU/day vitamin A (as retinyl palmitate) and the other group were administered a placebo. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were separated and stimulated with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) before and after the trial period. BrdU calorimetric assay was performed to measure cell proliferation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and paired t-test were used to analyze the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Observations showed statistical significant differences in the reduction of cell proliferation in the presence of MOG and fetal calf serum (FCS) in the culture medium, between patients receiving vitamin A and the placebo (P = 0.046). Although, this difference was not significant between the two vitamin A and placebo groups in MOG treatment with human serum, a decrease was observed in the group of patients taking vitamin A supplements (P = 0.019). Phytohemagglutinin did not cause any change in cell proliferation between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest supplementation with retinyl palmitate in patients with MS reduce MOG stimulatory effects on T-cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Biochemistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Sima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jafarirad
authors.forename: Fereydoon
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Siassi
authors.forename: Mohammad-Hossein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Harirchian
authors.forename: Mohammad-Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sahraian
authors.forename: Mohammad-Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Eshraghian
authors.forename: Fazel
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shokri
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Amani
authors.forename: Sama
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bitarafan
authors.forename: Sabah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mozafari
authors.forename: Aliakbar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saboor-Yaraghi