Abstract
(1) Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by pronounced inflammation. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is an accurate marker for the state of inflammation, due to the high levels of this cytokine linked to the pathogenesis of the disease. These IL-6 levels could be lowered with an adequate dietary intake of vitamin D. The objective of the study was to determine the level of vitamin D ingested in a sample of patients with MS in the Valencian region (Spain), to establish the vitamin sources, and the possible link between the intake of vitamin D and the pathogenesis of the disease through a relationship with the level of IL-6. (2) Materials and Methods: A descriptive pilot study was carried out with 39 patients with MS in the Valencian region. The dietary-nutritional anamnesis was gained through the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and a food diary. Diet and eating habits were analyzed through the Easy Diet (version: 2.0.1)—Consultation Management Program® software, and IL-6 levels in blood by ELISA technique. (3) Results: The results show a low intake of vitamin D, which is significantly and negatively related to the intake of proteins of vegetable origin, which are consumed in less quantity than proteins of animal origin, and significantly and negatively related with the high blood levels of IL-6, possibly as a consequence of the high intake of fats, mainly unsaturated. (4) Conclusions: MS patients in the Valencian region ingest little vitamin D related to low intake of vegetable protein, which would explain the high levels of IL-6 linked to the high intake of mainly saturated fats.
Highlights
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune, neurodegenerative and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS)
Interleukin 6 (IL-6), with significantly high levels in patients with MS [2], seems to be directly related to demyelination, since an increase in interleukin 6 (IL-6) receptors has been seen in CD4+ T cells of patients with MS, involved in the pathogenesis of the disease [3]
The aim of this study is, on the one hand, to determine the level of vitamin D ingested by a population sample of patients in the Valencian region suffering from MS, and its nutritional source, and, on the other hand, to establish the possible link between ingestion of vitamin D and the pathogenesis of the disease through a possible relationship with IL-6 blood level
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune, neurodegenerative and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). This neuronal damage is mainly based on high oxidative stress and inflammation in the CNS [1]. High levels of vitamin D decrease the risk of developing the disease [5,6], and its supplementation in MS patients achieves anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects [7]. It is interesting to highlight how this immunomodulation is carried out partly through the regulation of different interleukins, such as IL-6, since it has been seen that vitamin D is able to reduce its production and modulate its activity [8], potentially decreasing its pro-inflammatory effects and improving MS prognosis [9]
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