DNA damage and postural balance in multiple sclerosis patients

Karla Mendonça Menezes,Fernando Copetti,Thaís Doeler Algarve,Ivana Beatrice Mânica Cruz,Aron Ferreira Silveira,Fábio Saraiva Flôres

doi:10.1590/1980-5918.030.s01.ao08

Karla Mendonça Menezes, Fernando Copetti + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-5918.030.s01.ao08

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Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by infiltration of inflammatory cells on the Central Nervous System (CNS). There is evidence that cumulative DNA damage can contribute to various mechanisms underlying MS lesions. Changes in postural balance are frequent observations in subjects with MS. Objective: Evaluated the DNA damage index (DDI)) and postural balance in patients with MS. Methods: A case-control study was conducted with 28 subjects matched for sex, age, and body mass index, divided into MS group and control. The DDI was assessed by comet assay and postural balance through recording the body oscillations of the center of pressure (COP), in the anterior-posterior and lateral middle directions. Results: Showed higher DDI in MS patients (21.3 ± 4.8) than controls (7.9 ± 6.1). Significant differences between groups were also noted in postural control parameters. The wider ranges of postural sway were observed in the MS group. The associations between DDI and postural control parameters showed weak, but significant correlations. No associations were found between DDI and time of diagnosis of MS. Conclusion: People with MS had higher DDI and larger body oscillations than healthy individuals.

Highlights

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by infiltration of inflammatory cells on the Central Nervous System (CNS)
Considering the evidence that Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) may contribute to various mechanisms underlying MS lesions and frequent observations of impaired postural control in these subjects, this study aimed to evaluate the DNA damage index (DDI) and postural control in MS patients compared with healthy controls
All subjects in the MS group were experiencing clinical remission of the disease, were receiving immunosuppressive therapy and participated in weekly physiotherapy sessions

Summary

Introduction

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by infiltration of inflammatory cells on the Central Nervous System (CNS). Objective: Evaluated the DNA damage index (DDI)) and postural balance in patients with MS. Current studies suggest that accumulation of damage to genetic material, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), induced by the increase of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), results in decreased of the physiological performance of the affected cells (1 - 3). The imbalance produced in the body by excessive generation of free radicals (or rate of removal of these species) is known as oxidative stress. It may be induced by several physical and chemical agents in the environment, as well as compounds produced by cell metabolism [1, 2]. ROS may contribute to various mechanisms underlying Multiple Sclerosis (MS) lesions [6, 7]

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