title: One-time intrathecal triamcinolone acetonide application alters the redox potential in cerebrospinal fluid of progressive multiple sclerosis patients: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cerebrospinal fluid analysis may provide insight into the interplay between chronic inflammation and response to treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate the impact of one intrathecal triamcinolone injection on the redox potential and on ascorbyl radical appearance in the cerebrospinal fluid of chronic progressive multiple sclerosis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 16 patients received 40 mg triamcinolone. Electron-spin resonance spectroscopy measured the oxidation range after copper ion [Cu (II)] addition and ascorbyl-radical bioavailability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was an increase of Cu (II) ion absorption, which reflects an augmented content of reduced proteins. Ascorbyl radicals were present in contrast to healthy controls according to the literature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intrathecal steroid application alters the redox potential in cerebrospinal fluid. Our findings support the beneficial role of steroids on oxidative stress generally demonstrated by ascorbyl radical appearance. Reactive oxygen species decline is necessary for an upregulated production of reduced proteins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, St. Joseph Hospital, Gartenstrasse 1, 13088 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: Gematria Test Lab GmbH, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Herrling
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, St. Joseph Hospital Berlin-Weissensee, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lütge
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, St. Joseph Hospital Berlin-Weissensee, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Lutz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lohse
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, St. Joseph Hospital Berlin-Weissensee, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Gabi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Öhm
authors.affiliation: Gematria Test Lab GmbH, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Katinka
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jung
keywords: cerebrospinal fluid; electron-spin resonance spectroscopy; free radicals; multiple sclerosis; triamcinolone