title: The effect of vitamin A supplementation on disease progression, cytokine levels and gene expression in multiple sclerotic patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to degeneration of the brain and spinal tissue. Imbalances of CD4+ T cells including Thelper1 (Th1)/Thelper2 (Th2) and Thelper17 (Th17)/Tregulatory (Treg), their secreted cytokines and gene expressions, are important aspects of in immunopathogenesis of MS. Vitamin A and its metabolites can regulate the immune system and appears to be effective in preventing progression of the autoimmune disease such as MS. Disease progression was evaluated By Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Expanded Disability States Scale (EDSS) and Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) tests. Cytokine levels were measured using ELISA kits and gene expression was quantified by Real time PCR (RT-PCR) system. According to the difference between the epidemiological and clinical data on the relationship between vitamin A and immune system regulation, this study of the first time assesses Immune function as well as gene expression and progression of the disease following administration of vitamin A supplement.
authors.affiliation: Iranian Center for Neurological Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. asaboor@tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Mohammad Hassan
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Harrirchian
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, Faculty of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. asaboor@tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Niyaz
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mohammadzadeh Honarvar
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, Faculty of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. asaboor@tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Fariba
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Koohdani
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, Faculty of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. asaboor@tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Sama
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bitarafan
authors.affiliation: Community Nutrition Department, Faculty of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. asaboor@tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Fereydoon
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Siassi
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, Faculty of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. & Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Paramedicine, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. asaboor@tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Sima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jafarirad
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, Faculty of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. asaboor@tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Mina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdolahi
authors.affiliation: Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. asaboor@tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Eisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salehi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Sina Hospital, Tehran, Iran. asaboor@tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Mohammad Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Saharian
authors.affiliation: Medicine faculty, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. asaboor@tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Homa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rouystaee
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. asaboor@tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Eshraghian
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, Faculty of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. & Food Microbiology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. asaboor@tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Ali Akbar
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Saboor-Yarghi
mesh_terms: D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D010919:Placebos; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D010919:Placebos; D014801:Vitamin A