This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hello,

There seems to be quite some evidence that uric acid levels in MS patients are lower than in healthy people, leaving us unprotected to oxidants. The following links give some background:
- http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Highlights-Antioxidants.asp
- http://www.albany.net/~tjc/uric_acid-peroxynitrite2-98.html#8

In my case I find this specifically interesting because I'm diagnosed with a heavy metal poisoning which could drastically increase the number of oxidants in my body. Has any of you been tested on heavy metal poisoning?

I consider taking inosine, which is a readily available compound and is naturally present in our body to increase my levels of uric acid. It also seems to have some nerve regeneration capabilities (cfr http://www.bostonlifesciences.com/images/6.17.03_INOSINE.pdf). Anybody has some feedback on that or news from the trial at the University of Pennsylvania that should be ending?

Best wishes,

Hi.

Apparently there is a phase II clinical trial still going on at the University of Pennsylvania on this, that is still recruiting patients: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00067327

So, it may be while yet before the actual findings are published.

Deb

I've been following the research about uric acid and it's potentially protective role in MS for a couple of years now. The inosine trial you are referring should have started in 2002 and was to be ended in december 2004. Yet it is recruiting patients according to the website...Weird. I am just as curious as you are.

HappyDaddy, I guess you are maybe familiar with the other Inosine trial, but I mention it for the sake of other interested readers:
Youguslavian researchers have already completed an inosine trial with 32 patients lasting for two years. The results were presented, but not in detail, at the 2004 AAN meeting in May. I've only read the poster abstract of that presentation, but out of the 32 patients, 6 had signs of MS activity during the treatment period. However, all patients who detoriated continued to show declining uric acid levels, while those who were stable or even improved clinically, had raised serum uric acid levels. The work of this team will hopefully be published during 2005.

/Mac