Evaluation of Selected Oxidant/Antioxidant Parameters in Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Undergoing Disease-Modifying Therapies

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate oxidative stress parameters, specifically the concentration of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), in the serum of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). We also analyzed the relationships between each parameter and selected clinical/laboratory multiple-sclerosis-related parameters. The study group comprised 204 patients with RRMS and 29 healthy, age-matched controls. The concentration of AOPP was significantly higher in the RRMS patients than in controls. ROC analysis showed the ability of AOPP to distinguish between the patients with RRMS and controls (the value of AUC was 94.8%, with a sensitivity of 89.69% and specificity of 89.3%). AOPP and FRAP were significantly higher in male than in female RRMS patients. Correlations were found between AOPP and the laboratory markers of inflammation. AOPP differed in the subgroups of patients treated with particular medications. Our findings indicate an increase in the markers of oxidative stress in the serum of RRMS patients, possibly linked with chronic inflammation. Gender and type of treatment affected the markers of oxidative stress.

Keywords: medicines; multiple sclerosis; prooxidant–antioxidant balance.

Figure 1

ROC curve of AOPP concentration for distinguishing patients with RRMS from the control group (x = 0.1071; y = 0.8969).

Figure 2

Statistically significant correlations between either FRAP or AOPP and WBC, lymphocytes, and CRP (for the whole study group). FRAP—ferric-reducing antioxidant power; AOPP—advanced oxidation protein products; CRP—C-reactive protein; WBC—white blood cells.