Inflammation markers in multiple sclerosis: CXCL16 reflects and may also predict disease activity.
BACKGROUND
Serum markers of inflammation are candidate biomarkers in multiple sclerosis (MS). ω-3 fatty acids are suggested to have anti-inflammatory properties that might be beneficial in MS. We aimed to explore the relationship between serum levels of inflammation markers and MRI activity in patients with relapsing remitting MS, as well as the effect of ω-3 fatty acids on these markers.


METHODS
We performed a prospective cohort study in 85 relapsing remitting MS patients who participated in a randomized clinical trial of ω-3 fatty acids versus placebo (the OFAMS study). During a period of 24 months 12 repeated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and nine serum samples were obtained. We measured 10 inflammation markers, including general down-stream markers of inflammation, specific markers of up-stream inflammatory pathways, endothelial action, and matrix regulation.


RESULTS
After Bonferroni correction, increasing serum levels of CXCL16 and osteoprotegerin were associated with low odds ratio for simultaneous MRI activity, whereas a positive association was observed for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9. CXCL16 were also associated with low MRI activity the next month, but this was not significant after Bonferroni correction. In agreement with previously reported MRI and clinical results, ω-3 fatty acid treatment did not induce any change in the inflammation markers.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum levels of CXCL16, MMP-9, and osteoprotegerin reflect disease activity in MS, but are not affected by ω-3 fatty acid treatment. CXCL16 could be a novel biomarker and potential predictor of disease activity in MS.
Department of Neurology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway ; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Trygve
T
Holmøy
Kristin Ingeleiv
KI
Løken-Amsrud
Søren Jacob
SJ
Bakke
Antonie G
AG
Beiske
Kristian S
KS
Bjerve
Harald
H
Hovdal
Finn
F
Lilleås
Rune
R
Midgard
Tom
T
Pedersen
Jutrate
J
Saltytė Benth
Oivind
O
Torkildsen
Stig
S
Wergeland
Kjell-Morten
KM
Myhr
Annika E
AE
Michelsen
Pål
P
Aukrust
Thor
T
Ueland
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D000075743:Chemokine CXCL16; D019743:Chemokines, CXC / Q000097:blood*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000178:diet therapy; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011379:Prognosis; D051116:Receptors, Scavenger / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; C423727:CXCL16 protein, human; D000075743:Chemokine CXCL16; D019743:Chemokines, CXC; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D051116:Receptors, Scavenger