Article Text

Download PDFPDF
β endorphin concentrations in PBMC of patients with different clinical phenotypes of multiple sclerosis
  1. M Gironi1,
  2. R Furlan1,
  3. M Rovaris1,
  4. G Comi1,
  5. M Filippi1,
  6. A E Panerai2,
  7. P Sacerdote2
  1. 1Department of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
  2. 2Department of Pharmacology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr M Gironi, San Raffaele, DIMER, Via Olgettina 48, 20132, Milan, Italy; 
 mgironi{at}dongnocchi.it

Abstract

The possible link between the opioid peptide β endorphin and the heterogeneity of the clinical course of multiple sclerosis (MS) was investigated. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) concentrations of β endorphin were measured in 50 patients in different phases of MS. Thirty nine patients also underwent post-contrast magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Among MS forms, the highest β endorphin concentrations were found in PBMC from patients with relapsing remitting MS and the lowest in patients with the progressive forms. Average β endorphin concentrations were lower, although not significantly, in patients with than in those without magnetic resonance imaging enhanced lesions. These data suggest that β endorphin may have a role in the downregulation of the inflammatory process.

  • β endorphin
  • multiple sclerosis
  • immunomodulation
  • MS, multiple sclerosis
  • PBMC, peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Statistics from Altmetric.com

Request Permissions

If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.

Footnotes