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. 2018;54(1):30.
doi: 10.1186/s41983-018-0030-2. Epub 2018 Nov 3.

Evaluating sex hormones and cytokine profile in Egyptian females with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Forayssa M Talaat  1 , Noha T Abokrysha  1 , Dalia M Labib  1 , Engy El Khateeb  2 , Ghada Hatem Abd El Aziz  1
Affiliations

Evaluating sex hormones and cytokine profile in Egyptian females with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Forayssa M Talaat et al. Egypt J Neurol Psychiatr Neurosurg. 2018.

Abstract

Background: Sexual dimorphism shown in multiple sclerosis suggests an interaction between immune system and sex hormones. The objective of this study is to determine the hormonal profile and serum cytokine levels in Egyptian female patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) compared with healthy controls and their associations with disease disability.

Methods: This study was conducted on 40 female patients with RRMS and 20 age-matched controls subjected to measurements of the hormonal profile (estrogen, testosterone) and cytokine levels (interleukin 10 and 4 and tumor necrosis factor alpha) and disability assessment using Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).

Results: Levels of estrogen, testosterone, interleukin 10 and 4 (IL-10 and IL-4), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were higher in patients compared to control with no statistically significant difference. Estrogen levels were positively correlated with interleukin 10 and interleukin 4 levels and negatively correlated with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), but there was no statistically significant correlation between hormonal profile or cytokine profile (IL-10, IL-4, and TNF-α) and EDSS.

Conclusions: It is suggested that estrogen has an anti-inflammatory effect on cytokine milieu; therefore, it can be tried as a treatment option in multiple sclerosis.

Keywords: Estrogen; Interleukin 10; Interleukin 4; Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis; Testosterone; Tumor necrosis factor alpha.

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Conflict of interest statement

The aim and procedures of the study were explained to every participant, and all participants provided informed written consent to participate in the study. The study was approved by the ethical committee of the Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, on 20/10/2014, but Cairo University does not provide approval reference number.Not applicable.The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial relationships that could be constructed as a potential conflict of interest.Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Correlation between estrogen levels and interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels in patients
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Correlation between estrogen levels and interleukin 4 (IL-4) levels in patients
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Correlation between estrogen levels and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels in patients
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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