Iron and the folate-vitamin B12-methylation pathway in multiple sclerosis.
Date
2006
Authors
van Rensburg S.J.
Kotze M.J.
Hon D.
Haug P.
Kuyler J.
Hendricks M.
Botha J.
Potocnik F.C.
Matsha T.
Erasmus R.T.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
Some subjects with multiple sclerosis (MS) present with low blood iron parameters. Anecdotal reports and a single patient study suggest that iron supplementation may be beneficial in these subjects. Myelin is regenerated continually, but prerequisites for this process are iron and a functional folate-vitamin B12-methylation pathway. The aim of this study was to determine iron status, folate and homocysteine in MS subjects, and to evaluate the effect on MS symptoms if deficiencies were addressed. Results: In relapsing-remitting MS subjects, serum iron concentration correlated significantly with age at diagnosis (r=0.49; p=0.008). In Caucasian female MS subjects, serum iron and ferritin concentrations were significantly lower than in matched controls. In a 6-month pilot study, 12 subjects taking a regimen of nutritional supplements designed to promote myelin regeneration, improved significantly neurologically as measured by the Kurzke EDSS (Total Score means 3.50 to 2.45, 29.9%; p=0.021). These were significantly improved (p=0.002) compared to 6 control group patients taking multivitamins (Kurzke Score increased by 13.9% from 4.83 to 5.50). Both groups had significantly reduced homocysteine concentrations at 6 months, suggesting that methylation is necessary but not sufficient for myelin regeneration.
Description
Keywords
antiinflammatory agent, cyanocobalamin, folic acid, homocysteine, interferon, iron, prednisone, adult, article, blood, Caucasian, diet supplementation, fat intake, female, human, male, metabolism, methylation, multiple sclerosis, Negro, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, nutritional status, patient compliance, pilot study, Adult, African Continental Ancestry Group, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Dietary Fats, Dietary Supplements, European Continental Ancestry Group, Female, Folic Acid, Homocysteine, Humans, Interferons, Iron, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Methylation, Multiple Sclerosis, Nutritional Status, Patient Compliance, Pilot Projects, Prednisone, Vitamin B 12
Citation
Metabolic brain disease
21
2-3
21
2-3