Significance of plasma lysolecithin in patients with multiple sclerosis: a longitudinal study

Abstract

The progress of five patients with multiple sclerosis and four normal subjects was followed for over two years. Plasma phospholipid levels and phospholipid fatty acid composition were assayed periodically. The increased amount of plasma lysolecithin already described has been confirmed in this longitudinal study. A significant increase in saturated fatty acids lysolecithin was also demonstrated. In contrast the lecithin concentration and fatty acid composition did not show any significant variations. The lysolecithin saturated - unsaturated fatty acid ratio was different in the same patients at different times, but no correlation was established between these variations and the clinical symptoms measured using the Kurtzke scale. The possible significance of saturated fatty acid increase in lysolecithin in the pathogenic mechanisms of multiple sclerosis is discussed.