Serum Lipid and Antiphospholipid Antibodies Profiles in Different Phases of Multiple Sclerosis (P6.142)

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differences of serum lipoproteins and antiphospholipid antibodies and their relationships in diverse phases of multiple sclerosis (MS). BACKGROUND: Emerging evidences indicate an association between MS disease progression and lipoproteins/cholesterol homeostasis that is important for formation and maintenance of myelin. An increased frequency of antiphospholipid antibodies have been shown in MS patients, nevertheless the pathogenic role of these antibodies remains not fully clarified. DESIGN/METHODS: This observational laboratory-blinded prospective study evaluated total cholesterol (TC), high and low density lipoproteins (HDL, LDL), triglyceride (TG) and Lipoprotein(a) levels as well as antibodies anti-cardiolipin, anti-beta2-glycoprotein-I, anti-prothrombin, anti-annexinV (IgG, IgM) in 93 consecutive MS patients (71F/22M) including 15 secondary progressive (SP)MS patients, 55 relapsing-remitting in remission and 23 in relapse. SPSS software was used for all statistical evaluations. RESULTS: SPMS patients were significantly older, with longer disease duration, higher EDSS and TC level (p=0.05) than other two patient groups. The rate of positivity for anti-beta2-glycoprotein-I IgM (p<0.0001) and for anti-prothrombin IgG/IgM (p=0.05 for both) was significantly higher in relapsing patients compared to other groups. We found a positive correlation between EDSS and levels of both TC and LDL (p=0.01 and p=0.007 respectively), and between disease duration and LDL (p=0.02). The levels of TC were positively correlated with LDL and TG (p<0.0001 for both). The levels of TG were positively correlated with LDL (p=0.01) but negatively correlated with HDL (p<0.0001). We found also that the positivity for anti-annexin V IgG was associated with high levels of both TC and LDL (p=0.002 and 0.03 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Based on our findings we hypothesize that the pro-inflammatory and thrombogenic processes associated with dyslipidemia could contribute to disease progression in MS via diverse mechanisms at vascular endothelium of blood brain barrier. However, further studies with larger populations are needed to confirm our preliminary data. Study Supported by: Disclosure: Dr. Koudriavtseva has received personal compensation for activities with Bayer Schering as a speaker. Dr. Mandoj has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cigliana has nothing to disclose. Dr. D9Agosto has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cordiali-Fei has nothing to disclose. Dr. Conti has nothing to disclose.