Author/Authors :
Bitarafan, Sama Iranian Center of Neurological Research - Neuroscience Institute - Imam Khomeini Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Saboor-Yaraghi, Aliakbar Department of Molecular and Cellular Nutrition - School of Nutrition and Dietetics - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Sahraian, Mohammad Ali Sina MS Research Center - Neuroscience Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Nafissi, Shahriar Department of Neurology, Shariati Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Togha, Mansoureh Department of Neurology - Sina Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , BeladiMoghadam, Nahid Department of Neurology - Imam Hossein Hospital - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Roostaei, Tina 3 Sina MS Research Center - Neuroscience Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Siassi, Fereydoun Department of Community Nutrition - School of Nutrition and Dietetics - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Eshraghian, Mohammad Reza Department of Biostatistics - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Ghanaati, Hossein Advanced Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Research Center - Medical Imaging Center - Imam Khomeini Hospital , Jafarirad, Sima Nutrition and metabolic disease research center - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences , Rafiei, Behrouz Advanced Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Research Center - Medical Imaging Center - Imam Khomeini Hospital , Harirchian, Mohammad-Hossein Iranian Center of Neurological Research - Neuroscience Institute - Imam Khomeini Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Abstract :
BACKGROUND: Many studies have shown that active vitamin A derivatives suppress the formation of pathogenic T cells in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The aim of the present study is to determine the impact of vitamin A on disease progression in MS patients.
METHODS: A total of 101 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients were enrolled in a 1-year placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial. The treated group received 25000 IU/d retinyl palmitate for six month followed by 10000 IU/d retinyl palmitate for another six month. Results for the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and multiple sclerosis functional composite (MSFC) were recorded at the beginning and the end of the study. The relapse rate was recorded during the intervention. Patients underwent baseline and follow up brain MRIs.
RESULTS: The results showed "Mean ± SD" of MSFC changes in the treated group was (-0.14 ± 0.20) and in the placebo group was (-0.31 ± 0.19). MSFC was improved in the treatment group significantly (p < 0.001). There was no significant differences between the "Mean ± SD" of EDSS changes in the treated (0.07 ± 0.23) and the placebo (0.08 ± 0.23) groups (p = 0.73). There was also no significant differences between the "Mean ± SD" of annualized relapse rate in the treated group (-0.36 ± 0.56) and placebo (-0.53 ± 0.55) groups (p = 0.20). The "Mean ± SD" of enhanced lesions in the treatment (0.4 ± 1.0) and in the placebo (0.2 ± 0.6) groups were not significantly different (p = 0.26). Volume of T2 hyperintense lesions "Mean ± SD" was not significantly different between treatment (45 ± 137) and placebo (23 ± 112) groups after intervention (p = 0.23).
CONCLUSION: Vitamin A improved total MSFC score in RRMS patients, but it did not change EDSS, relapse rate and brain active lesions.
Keywords :
vitamin A , multiple sclerosis , magnetic resonance imaging , Disability evaluation
