In their interesting TiPS review, Neuhaus et al. [1] extensively discussed the role of immunomodulators in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, in evaluating the potential therapies for MS, antioxidants such as uric acid (UA) were not discussed.Several reports have suggested a role for nitric oxide and its oxidizing congeners [reactive nitrogen oxide species (RNOS)], such as peroxynitrite, in the imimmo-pathogenesis of MS. These studies have shown: (i) elevated levels of nitric oxide synthase in demyelinated regions and in macrophages, microglia and astrocytes within actively demyelinating lesions in MS patients, compared with controls [2]; and (ii) increased levels of RNOS in the CNS and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of MS patients, compared with controls [2,3]. These levels of RNOS correlated directly with the disease state. The presence of nitro-tyrosine, an RNOS biomarker, in MS lesions also supports the hypothesis that RNOS are involved in the pathogenesis of MS [4].
展开▼
