Ischemia modified albumin is an indicator of oxidative stress in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND

Oligodendrocytes need iron in processes of energy generation and myelination. However, excessive levels of iron may exert iron induced oxidative stress and thus lead to tissue degeneration. Monitoring oxidative stress will be of paramount importance in follow-up of patients with many diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to measure total anti-oxidative status (TAS), total oxidative status (TOS) and ischemia modified albumin (IMA) in stable relapse remitting MS (RRMS) patients.

METHODS

Thirty-five RRMS patients (15 males and 20 females; median age 42 (20-55) years) and thirty-five age-sex matched healthy controls (13 males and 22 females; median age 37 (21-60) years) were included in this study. All patients were diagnosed with MS according to the criteria of McDonald.

RESULTS

IMA levels were significantly higher in RRMS patients (P < 0.001), while TAS and TOS did not show any significant difference between groups (P = 0.870 and P = 0.460, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest IMA as a more efficient serum marker than TAS and TOS in detecting the oxidative stress in MS patients. Serum oxidative stress markers should be included in future study protocols besides clinical and radiological parameters.