Dietary habits and selenium, glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant status in the serum of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

backgroundDietary habits and adequate dietary intake of antioxidants in the diet may be one of the most important environmental factors for the prevention of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

objectivesThe aim of this study was to estimate selenium (Se) concentration, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and total antioxidant status (TAS) in the serum of patients with MS and the influence of dietary habits on the status.

methods101 patients with relapsing-remitting MS (aged 18-58 years), as well as control group of 63 healthy people (aged 19-65 years) were studied. Food-frequency questionnaires were implemented to collect the dietary data. Se concentration in the serum samples was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. GSH-Px activity and TAS in examined serum was measured using the ready-made sets of tests by Randox Laboratories Ltd., UK.

resultsSerum Se concentration and GSH-Px activity in the serum of patients with MS (55.2±16.2 μg/L, 6676.1±2386.4 U/L; respectively) were significantly decreased (p<0.01, p<0.05; respectively) compared with control group (79.2±20.6 μg/L, 8029.9±2650.1 U/L; respectively). A significant correlation (r=0.39, p<0.01) was observed between Se concentration and GSH-Px activity in the serum of examined patients. TAS value in the serum of patients with MS (1.03±0.37 mmol/L) was also significantly lower (p<0.01) than in healthy volunteers (1.48±0.41 mmol/L). Frequent consumption of poultry, bakery products, pulses and fish seemed to increase serum Se concentration in the group of patients; whereas frequent consumption of butter, wholegrain bread, sweet beverages and sugar was found to accompany with lower values of Se in the serum. We have observed significant decrease TAS (p<0.05, p<0.01; respectively) in the serum of smokers and those patients who received immunomodulatory drugs (0.95±0.39 mmol/L, 0.92±0.34 mmol/L; respectively) compared with no-smoking patients and not taking immunomodulators (1.14±0.33 mmol/L, 1.31±0.31 mmol/L; respectively).

conclusionsSerum Se concentration, GSH-Px activity and TAS value were significantly lower in patients with relapsing-remitting MS compared with healthy volunteers. Dietary habits have a significant influence on Se status. Smoking cigarettes and intake of immunomodulatory drugs therapy have a negative impact on TAS of examined patients.