Investigation of Biochemical Factors in Multiple Sclerosis Patients With Fingolimod and Natalizumab Drugs

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that demyelinates the central nervous system. Myelin, a two-layer lipid membrane around axons, is responsible for signaling and nerve impulse transmission. Fingolimod as the first oral treatment for MS patients is fingolimod. This drug reduces magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) activity and relapse rate by preventing the migration of T cells from the secondary lymphoid organs into the blood circulation. This study aimed to evaluate biochemical factors in MS patients. Methods: A total of 30 MS patients who applied for the MS clinic of Imam Reza hospital (Tabriz-Iran) were chosen for this study. The patients were divided into three groups, including the MS group, MS+Fingolimod, and MS+Natalizumab. For measuring the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and neurofilament light chain (NfL) factors, all samples were thawed, processed, and assayed with immunoassay kits. Results: The NfL level decreased for both natalizumab and fingolimod groups compared with the MS group (P<0.0001). Likewise, the ESR level decreased in the fingolimod group more than in the natalizumab group (P<0.0001). In addition, the CRP level decreased in the fingolimod and natalizumab group compared with the MS group (P<0.0001). Conclusion: Based on the obtained results it can be concluded that the level of ESR and NfL is high in MS patients, but natalizumab and fingolimod decrease these biochemical factors in MS patients.