Multiple sclerosis influences on the augmentation of serum Klotho concentration

• This study evaluated for the first time the status of secreted form of Klotho in the serum of MS patients.
• We found increased concentration of Klotho in the serum of MS patients with prolonged disease duration.
• The increased concentration of Klotho might be due to effects of immunomodulatory drugs and/or compensatory mechanisms.

We have already shown that the concentration of secreted form of Klotho decreases in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The current study aimed at assessing possible changes in the serum Klotho concentration of MS patients. Participants involved 15 new cases of RRMS patients in the relapse phase, 15 RRMS patients who had been suffering from the disease for more than three years and were under regular treatments (interferon beta-1a) and, finally, 15 non-MS patients who constituted the control group. Beside thorough neurological examinations, demographic and clinical data (e.g. gender, age, duration of disease and expanded disability status scale) were obtained. Serum Klotho concentration was measured using ELISA method. The results showed no statistically meaningful difference between new cases of RRMS (585.56 pg/ml ± 153.99) and control group (556.81 pg/ml ± 120.36; P = 0.859). The serum Klotho level, however, was significantly higher in patients with prolonged disease duration (696.94 pg/ml ± 170.52; P = 0.037) in comparison with the subjects in the control group. In conclusion, this study showed that serum Klotho concentration tends to be higher in MS patients when compared to control group. This finding might be attributed to treatment of MS patients with immunomodulatory drugs or a compensatory response to enhance CNS regeneration and/or vitamin D biosynthesis. Further studies are required to elucidate the role of Klotho in MS pathophysiology.