Antigliadin antibodies and multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) and celiac disease are both considered as immune-mediated disorders. The term gluten sensitivity refers to a state of increased immunological responsiveness to ingested gluten in genetically susceptible individuals, as indicated by circulating antibodies to gliadin. Several neurological complications have been described associated with gluten sensitivity ranging from peripheral neuropathy and cerebellar ataxia to an increased risk of epilepsy. So, we decided to measure these antibodies in serum of MS patients. Material and Methods: Fifty MS patients were randomly recruited from MS clinics of Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital IInd Neurology Clinic and compared with a control group of 52 healthy volunteers. Antigliadin antibody (AGA) IgG and IgA levels were studied in all patients. Antiendomisial antibody (AEA) in serum was studied in patients who have positive antigliadin antibody for differential diagnosis of celiac disease. Results: AGA IgG and AGA IgA were positive in 30% and 12% of patients, respectively. AEA levels were negative for all patients in whom this parameter was studied. In control group, AGA IgG and AGA IgA positivities were 25% and 7.6%, respectively. Neither IgG nor IgA AGA showed significant differences between MS patients and controls. AEA antibody and histopathologic studies were negative in all patients with positive IgG or IgA AGA. Mean values of IgG and IgA AGA in MS patients with different sex, age, course, and functional system involvement were not significantly different. Conclusion: Autoantibodies which do not cause systemic autoimmune disease cause immunological dysregulation and are irrelevant clinically may destroy immunological cascade. However antigliadin antibodies can be found in high incidence in addition to other autoantibodies in MS patients secondary to immune dysregulation. However, this finding is not meaningful. © 2010 by Türkiye Klinikleri.