Possible interactions between sex steroids and plasma lipoprotein metabolism in multiple sclerosis

Introduction: Sex hormones may modulate the clinical course of multiple sclerosis (MS) [1]. Sex steroids interact with cholesterol metabolism and the serum lipid profile has been associated with progression of disability in MS patients [2]. We hypothesized that the putative associations between lipoprotein metabolism and severity of MS could be modulated by sex steroids exposure. The aim of this study was to investigate whether oral contraceptives (OC) use changes the lipoprotein profile associated with disability in patients with MS.Materials and methods: Clinical data was collected from 133 women with the diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS prior to the start of disease-modifying therapies. Patients who were using OC after disease onset (DO) (OC+, n = 57) were compared to those who never used OC or discontinued its intake before DO (OC−, n = 76). In both cohorts of subjects, the associations between the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphism and plasma lipid levels and the Expanded Disability Status Score...