fascinating old article - i'll have to go looking for references to dowd, in the citations provided for the so-called klenner protocol.
MASSIVE DOSAGE OF ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL IN ALLEVIATION OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS* (Dowd, 1949)
https://nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.co ... .tb55308.x
"Seven patients, ages 32-47, who have been afflicted 31-240 months, have been treated, as private patients, for 5--15 months. Our basis for an attempt at treatment with vitamin E lay, first, in three papers by Wechsler,’ Bicknell and Davison in which improvement was noted, both clinically and histologically, in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Histologically, the demyelinization and gliosis of multiple sclerosis is similar to the aforementioned syndrome. Secondly, in our geriatric neuropathologies, with similar histopathologic pictures but less extensive involvement, there was some amelioration of symptoms. It was felt that, possibly, some reversal, with attendant increased function, might be effected in nerve tissue which had not yet become fully gliotic. The report is very incomplete, and no definite conclusions may be drawn. It is “thrown out” to the profession to stimulate further study, especially in view of the natural history and apathetic therapy of this disease.
...
Physical examination revealed the usual picture of intention tremors, asymmetrically hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, loss of abdominal reflexes, positive Babinskis, muscular hypotonia or atrophy, and a wide range of sensory abnormalities. The physical examinations were otherwise noncontributory. Incoordination was present in all patients, and vibratory sense was absent in the lower extremities of two patients.
...
Because of the anti-ischemia properties of alpha-tocopherol, it was thought some improvement might be effected by its use. We used and recommend the following method of management:
(1) The patient was given 300 mg (JL: 450 IU) of “Vita E Injectable” (Vitamin Corp. of America, Newark) intramuscularly daily, in three equal 100 mg. doses (first day, one-half the amount was used). This was continued for 4-7 days, dependent upon the size of the patient and the reaction. No iron may be used with E. Hypertensive and hyperthyroid patients should not receive it because of slightly thyrotropic action and mild initial blood pressure elevation in some cases.
(2) Simultaneously, for relaxant effect, the patient received OW of the following antispastics: prostigmine, tolserol, tubocurarine in oil (Abbott), vinobel, or an antihistaminic. Adequate dosage and necessary precautions should be taken, dependent upon the preparation selected.
(3) The patient received high potency vitamin B complex. We used “Provite B-IVC” or “Combex” with C (2) (P.D.) t.i.d., depending on the patient’s tolerance.
(4) The patient received crude liver extract (Armour), 2-4 Units per week I.M. (JL: how about some zinc maybe)
(5) The patient received treatment for any other unrelated pathology by appropriate therapy; for instance, diet and methionine, as a lipotrope, were employed in a fatty infiltrated liver.
(6) After the first week, the patient was placed upon 400-600 mg. of alpha-tocopherol daily in divided doses which were multiples of the 100 mg capsule. The patient was maintained on other supportive therapy (B-Complex, relaxant, and liver extract).
(7) After two weeks, the supportive therapy was reduced to a maintenance level; the alpha-tocopherol was maintained at a high level; and good corrective muscle and nerve coordination re-education was begun. The “twilight zone” (areas where the nerve tissue is neither completely gliotic nor yet functional) degenerating nerve tissue had been “primed” and re-education of the type used in the Veteran Hospital paraplegic and hemiplegic cases was instituted.
(8) The subsequent courses of therapy depended upon the response of the individual patient.
In chronic cases, at least 9 months should elapse before any definite trial can be considered fruitless.
(9) After 3 months, the patient was maintained on 300-600 mg. of alpha-tocopherol.
(10) After relaxation was obtained, so that the corrective therapist could maneuver the muscles, the relaxant was decreased or discontinued. Here again, dosage was an individual problem.
Results
The results were quite revealing. Two cases reverted to virtual normalcy (a few residual paresthesias were left) after 5 and 9 days, respectively, of therapy. These were acute types, which were seen a few days after onset. Each had had several previous bouts which had lasted for 2-2.5 months. The disease had been first noted 2 years before in one and 2.5 years in the other.
The remaining 5 cases were chronics. After four weeks of tocopherols, there was less muscle weakness, less atrophy, and decreased paresthe sias and hyperesthesias, deafness disappeared, and better coordination in locomotion was present. After 2-14 months of corrective therapy, along with maintenance tocopherols, ataxia, spasticity, and muscular strength have been moderately improved in 3 patients. Two severe cases have been unaffected as yet.
...
alpha-tocopherol appears to be a useful tool, but not a panacea, which needs further study before its role can be accurately appraised. From a study of the treatment just described, we feel that massive doses of alpha-tocopherol, when used in conjunction with good corrective therapy, offer a worthwhile approach to the management of multiple sclerosis."
when the klenner protocol did me so much good in 2006, i was fixated on the vitamin b aspect. it really did take me quite a while to realize the extent to which the vit e had likely played a role in my own positive experiences with this multi-megadose therapy.
in hindsight i finally realized my diet had been atrocious for vit e leading up to my dx, and then when i first read this info (ages ago now), it made a LOT of sense:
https://neuromuscular.wustl.edu/nother/vitamin.htm#e
it worked for me, even using a single synthetic form that i wouldn't use now. improved supplemental forms still a challenge. i can't get buy in from my friend's oncologist re 400iu per day even of E8 complex. green light from food sources only, so it's been all about the various oils.
also fascinating today, to see
ophthalmoplegia (@vender, i'm looking at you - with my non-double vision ;) ) noted as a consequence of vit E deficit. when i had my skirmish with INO earlier this year, it was all laid at the feet of MS. nobody said a peep about links to vitamin E.