Oxidative stress in multiple sclerosis patients in clinical remission: Association with the expanded disability status scale

Increased levels of oxidative stress markers and/or decreased levels of antioxidant molecules have been described in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This imbalance has been implicated in demyelination and axonal damage. The aims of this study were to evaluate oxidative stress in MS patients and to verify its correlation with disability as assessed by the expanded disability status scale (EDSS). This case-controlled study included 91 patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS) and 196 healthy individuals matched by age, gender, ethnicity, smoking status, and body mass index. Oxidative stress was evaluated by tert-butyl hydroperoxide-initiated chemiluminescence (CL-LOOH), carbonyl protein, nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP), sulfhydryl groups of proteins and serum uric acid levels. MS patients exhibited higher plasma levels of CL-LOOH (p < 0.0001) and carbonyl protein (p = 0.0081), and lower plasma levels of NOx (p < 0.0001), TRAP (p = 0.0088), and sulfhydryl groups (p = 0.0003) compared to the control subjects. A multivariate analysis showed an association between oxidative markers and the presence of MS. Patients with an EDSS > 3.5 showed higher CL-LOOH than control subjects (p = 0.0093). A positive correlation was observed between CL-LOOH and EDSS (r = 0.3244, p = 0.0026) and between carbonyl protein and EDSS (r = 0.3012, p = 0.0041). These results demonstrate that oxidative stress plays an important role in the physiopathology of MS progression.