Dynamic Thiol-Disulphide Homeostasis in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate thiol-disulphide homeostasis in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) during attack and remission. Design and Methods: A total of 82 patients admitted to our clinic were divided into 2 groups according to whether they are having an attack or not. Peripheral blood samples were taken from all patients and their native thiol, disulphide and total thiol concentrations were measured by a newly developed automated method. In addition, their disulphide/native thiol, disulphide/total thiol and native thiol/total thiol ratios were calculated. Results: The average disulphide values, disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol ratios of the patients with MS who were having an attack were found to be significantly higher compared to those in remission (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Our results have shown that thiol-disulphide balance was shifted to the oxidative area during the relapse. These homeostasis parameters, which can be easily measured by this newly developed method at low costs, may be important in terms of showing the disease activity and presenting the underlying mechanisms of the disease.