Multiple sclerosis

Personalized tests to detect metabolites (small molecules) and gene variants associated with MS

Multiple sclerosis or multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that mainly affects the brain and spinal cord and needs immediate treatment, as it can cause many problems in the body. Today, most pharmaceutical treatments aim more at immunomodulation and less at immunosuppression, resulting in a better quality of life for patients.

The Invisible Enemies of Health: What are the factors associated with the onset of multiple sclerosis (MS)?

The causes of multiple sclerosis are unknown. It has been shown, however, that factors involved in its etiology are genetic predisposition, as there are many susceptibility genes to the disease, alongside very few protective genes, exposure to one or more environmental pathogens and the development of pathological immune mechanisms against the central nervous system, from unspecified causes, such as:

1. Genes-Epigenetics: Epigenetics refers to heritable changes outside of the DNA sequence that affect which genes are turned on and off and when. Epigenetic changes reflect aging and our body’s interaction with the environment. In some cases, these changes can contribute to specific diseases. Increasing understanding of epigenetic changes, particularly reversible ones, may elucidate pathogenic pathways and guide the development of new therapeutic strategies. For more information, visit our epigenome page .
2. Increased production of oxidizing oxygen radicals (ROS) and dysfunction of antioxidant systems: Both inflammation and oxidative stress are interrelated, as one could promote the other, leading to a toxic negative feedback system, which contributes to the process inflammation and demyelination in multiple sclerosis.
3. Unhealthy Lifestyle: Some studies have linked stress to the risk of developing multiple sclerosis, however, people’s different coping mechanisms and response to stressful events make it difficult to confirm this link. There is stronger evidence for body weight and obesity and MS risk. Numerous studies have shown that being overweight/obese, especially during adolescence, is associated with a 2-3 times increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis.
4. Environment and Xenobiotics (chemicals): Whether air pollution increases the risk of multiple sclerosis is unclear. Long-term exposure to air pollution and fine particles PM10 and PM2.5 appear to be associated with neuroinflammation and damage to the blood-brain barrier. Smoking is a well-established risk factor for the development of multiple sclerosis, with a clear dose-response relationship. Age at smoking initiation does not appear to affect MS risk. Where you live can also affect your risk of developing multiple sclerosis. The longer you live away from the equator, the greater your risk of developing multiple sclerosis – this is called the ‘latitude effect’.
5. Gut microbiota: Dysbiosis in the gut microbiota has emerged as a potential risk factor for multiple sclerosis, following exposure of its key role in shaping the immune response. Most of the bacteria that are reduced in the gut flora are those that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), which could explain the chronic inflammation that characterizes this disease. Many factors regulate the gut microflora, including diet, obesity, antibiotic use, smoking, etc. ( fgacenter.gr/the-role-of-the-gut-microbiome/ ).
6. Energy Intake and Metabolism: Inflammation in the central nervous system can affect the function of nerve cell mitochondria and contribute to axonal degeneration. Neuroinflammatory lesions in the spinal cord in an experimental model, cause widespread and persistent axonal energy deficiency in the form of ATP, dysfunction of the tricarboxylic acid (Krebs or TCA) cycle in the experimental models that ultimately lead to MS lesions. The metabolism of lipids and their peroxidation from the oxidative load is another main feature, since polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA’s) are the important targets of free radicals.