Abstract

Seyed Ali Masoud* and Esmail Fakharian Neurosurjery

Multiple sclerosis which is identified by the triad of inflammation, demyelination, and gliosis, is a chronic disease beginning early in adulthood. It is a disease of time and place, meaning involves different locations in different time intervals, and results in a variability of symptoms and signs including visual complains, motor weakness, and cerebellar problems. Although the main cause of the disease is unknown, however, induced autoimmune responses, particularly in a compromised genetic background, to some environmental factors are well known causes for it. The effect of serum homocystein on this disease is the focus of many recent studies. In this study we have assessed serum homocystein level in normal and patients with multiple sclerosis in Kashan in 2007. This case controlled study has carried on 26 cases of multiple sclerosis (MS) and 26 normal cases referred to Neurology Clinics in Kashan. After obtaining informed consent form from the enrolled cases, data including age, sex, history of hypertension, cardiac or cerebral vascular attacks, TIA, and Parkinson were recorded and matched in the groups. Two cubic centimeters (cc) of venous blood obtained from each person and sent for measurement of serum homocystein with HP_LC method. The obtained data were analyzed with T test, Chi Square test, and Odds Ratio. In each group there were 21(81%) female and 5 (19%) males. The age range of 20 to 29 with 10 cases (38%) was commonest category in both groups. Mean homocystein level in MS group was 9.22 ± 3.58 m/dl and in normal group was 6.93 ± 6.03 m/dl. It was 8.07 ± 5.04 m/dl for all of the cases. There is a significant difference between seum level of case group with that of normals (P < 0.05). The highest level of homocystein was 33 m/dl in a normal 30 year old female and the least amount was zero in a diseased 39 year old female. Mean age for case group was 34.73 ± 8.46 and 34.53 ± 7.51 in controls. It was 34.62 ± 7.93 for the whole cases. There was no significant difference in age between the groups (P > 0.005). Higher levels of homocystein in patients with MS in comparison with their normal counterparts may be a clue to a relationship useful in control of the disease progress or flare ups.