Several findings suggest lower levels of serum uric acid in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The aim of this study is to investigate relationships of uric acid serum levels in relapse-remitting (RR) MS patients with clinical activity of disease and blood-brain barrier (BBB) condition. Sixty-three definite RRMS patients and 40 controls divided into two groups: 20 healthy donors and 20 patients with other inflammatory neurological diseases (OINDs) were analysed. By using a quantitative enzymatic assay according to the manufacture's protocol and a commercial uric acid standard solution, serum uric acid levels were measured and the results were standardized. To investigate BBB function, magnetic resonance imaging after administration of gadolinium was used. MS patients were found to have significantly lower serum uric acid levels (193.89 +/- 49.05 micromol/l; mean value +/-SD) in comparison with healthy donors (292.7 +/- 58.65 micromol/l; P=0.000) and OIND patients (242.7 +/- 46.66 micromol/l; P=0.001). We found that MS patients with relapse had significantly lower serum uric acid levels (161.49 +/- 23.61 micromol/l) than MS patients with remission (234.39 +/- 41.96 micromol/l; P=0.000) and more over, MS patients with BBB disruption had significantly lower serum uric acid levels (163.95 +/- 26.07 micromol/l) than those with normal BBB (252.48 +/- 25.94 micromol/l; P=0.000). Further, we also found that serum uric acid level independently correlated with disease activity, BBB disruption, and gender. These results indicate that lower uric acid levels in MS patients are associated with relapse and suggest that uric acid might be beneficial in the treatment of MS.

In patients with RA, FMD was impaired and IMT was increased, indicating early endothelial dysfunction and accelerated atherosclerosis. Early treatment of disease may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis in RA.

Uric acid, which is the final product of purine nucleoside metabolism, is a strong peroxynitrite scavenger. Several studies report on lower serum uric acid levels in multiple sclerosis. In this study, we investigated serum uric acid levels before and after high-dose methylprednisolone treatment (intravenous 1 g/day/5 days) in multiple sclerosis patients. Blood samples from 25 definite multiple sclerosis patients (11 male and 14 female) before and after methylprednisolone treatment (days 0, 6 and 30) and from 20 healthy donors (9 male and 11 female) were analyzed. Serum uric acid levels were measured using a quantitative enzymatic assay (Elitech diagnostics, Sees, France) according to the manufacturer's protocol, and the results were standardized using a commercial uric acid standard solution. We observed significantly increased serum uric acid levels 1 day after the termination of the therapy (day 6). These differences were sustained for 30 days after starting treatment (during remission period). Mean serum uric acid levels were significantly higher in the control group. These results suggest that increasing the uric acid concentration may represent one of the possible mechanisms of action of methylprednisolone in multiple sclerosis.

This follow-up study aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum levels of von Willebrand factor (vWf) and common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the initial assessment, 34 female rheumatoid arthritis patients and 30 sex- and age-matched controls were included. The relationship among vWf serum levels, cardiovascular risk factors, and inflammation was initially assessed. The effects of these variables on carotid IMT were evaluated 5 years later. There were no significant differences between the RA patients and the controls in terms of IMT at the first evaluation. Five years later, the carotid IMT increased more significantly in RA patients if compared to controls (p < 0.001). The progression of carotid IMT significantly correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (r = 0.368, p = 0.032) and C-reactive protein (r = 0.506, p = 0.002). The progression of carotid IMT did not significantly correlate with vWf serum levels in the RA patients, although, at initial and repeated measurements, it showed statistically higher values of vWF in the RA patients compared to the control group (p < 0.01). The RA patients displayed accelerated development of atherosclerosis, as indicated by the increased IMT of carotid artery. Increased serum levels of vWF may suggest its potential role in cardiovascular risk prediction in RA patients.

Background: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the district of Sumadija (central part of Serbia). Methods: All persons suffering from MS, with permanent residence in the region, were recruited. Prevalence was calculated on December 31, 2006, according to a standard procedure. Results: On December 31, 2006, one hundred ninety-four patients (72 males and 122 females) were found to have MS. We found a crude MS prevalence of 64.9/100,000 (49.3/100,000 for males and 79.9/ 100,000 for females). The highest prevalence rates were registered in the age group of 30–39 years for females and 40–49 years for males, although the age-specific rates were higher in females in all age groups. The mean age at onset was 34.2 ± 9.3 years. The average duration of MS was 8.9 ± 6.2 years. The median EDSS score was 3.9 ± 2.0. The course of MS was relapsing-remitting in 63.9% of patients, secondary progressive in 32.5%, and primary progressive in 3.6%. At MS onset, motor symptoms were present in 70.1% of patients, sensory in 40.7%, cerebellar in 21.1%, brainstem in 15.5%, visual in 22.2%, and bowel/bladder disturbances in 22.2%. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that the MS prevalence registered in the Serbian district Sumadija is similar to that of other surrounding areas in Southeastern Europe.