Free serum haemoglobin is associated with brain atrophy

[frodo]

Free serum haemoglobin is associated with brain atrophy in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis

https://wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/1-10/v1

Background
A major cause of disability in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) is progressive brain atrophy, whose pathogenesis is not fully understood. The objective of this study was to identify protein biomarkers of brain atrophy in SPMS.

Methods
We used surface-enhanced laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry to carry out an unbiased search for serum proteins whose concentration correlated with the rate of brain atrophy, measured by serial MRI scans over a 2-year period in a well-characterized cohort of 140 patients with SPMS. Protein species were identified by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

Results
There was a significant (p<0.004) correlation between the rate of brain atrophy and a rise in the concentration of proteins at 15.1 kDa and 15.9 kDa in the serum. Tandem mass spectrometry identified these proteins as alpha-haemoglobin and beta-haemoglobin, respectively. The abnormal concentration of free serum haemoglobin was confirmed by ELISA (p<0.001). The serum lactate dehydrogenase activity was also highly significantly raised (p<10-12) in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.

Conclusions
An underlying low-grade chronic intravascular haemolysis is a potential source of the iron whose deposition along blood vessels in multiple sclerosis plaques contributes to the neurodegeneration and consequent brain atrophy seen in progressive disease. Chelators of free serum iron will be ineffective in preventing this neurodegeneration, because the iron (Fe2+) is chelated by haemoglobin.

[frodo]

Now also the platelets are involved:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28094818

The physiology of blood platelets and changes of their biological activities in multiple sclerosis.
Wachowicz B1, Morel A1, Miller E2, Saluk J3.
Author information
Abstract

Increasing evidence indicates that blood platelets contribute to diverse processes that extend beyond hemostasis. Many of the same mechanisms that play a role in hemostasis and thrombosis facilitate platelets the participation in other physiological and pathological processes, particularly in the inflammation, the immune response and central nervous system disorders. Platelets are involved in pathophysiology of central nervous system diseases, especially in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis, but their role appears to be neglected. Platelets contribute to the inflammation and cooperate with immune cells in inflammatory and immune responses. These blood cells were identified in inflamed spinal cord and in the brain in chronic active lesions of multiple sclerosis and in the related animal models referred as Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis. This review summarizes recent insights in the platelet activation accompanied by the exocytosis of bioactive compounds stored in granules, formation of platelet microparticles, expression of specific membrane receptors, synthesis of numerous biomediators, generation of free radicals, and introduces the mechanisms by which activated platelets may be involved in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis. Understanding the role of platelets in multiple sclerosis may be essential for improved therapies.

[NHE]

Now also the platelets are involved:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28094818

The physiology of blood platelets and changes of their biological activities in multiple sclerosis.
Wachowicz B1, Morel A1, Miller E2, Saluk J3.

The free full text is available.