High cholesterol could be
at least partially to blame for hastening disease progression in people with
MS, according a recent study in Australia.
at least partially to blame for hastening disease progression in people with
MS, according a recent study in Australia.
For their experiment,
scientists at Menzies Research Institute Tasmania identified 141 patients who
were diagnosed with MS and followed their progress from 2002 to 2005. Their
blood was evaluated at the start of the study, and then again every six months.
The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) test was used to determine each
patient’s level of disability. The EDSS measures everything from reflexes
to bowel and bladder function to the ability to walk.
scientists at Menzies Research Institute Tasmania identified 141 patients who
were diagnosed with MS and followed their progress from 2002 to 2005. Their
blood was evaluated at the start of the study, and then again every six months.
The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) test was used to determine each
patient’s level of disability. The EDSS measures everything from reflexes
to bowel and bladder function to the ability to walk.
The researchers found that
patients with higher levels of certain lipids known as “bad fats” also scored
higher on the EDSS, meaning that they were more disabled. Over the course of
several years, they noted that these same patients progressed faster in their
disease.
patients with higher levels of certain lipids known as “bad fats” also scored
higher on the EDSS, meaning that they were more disabled. Over the course of
several years, they noted that these same patients progressed faster in their
disease.
The research team studied
two things. First, they “examined whether lipid levels were associated with
actual disability,” said lead researcher Dr. Ingrid van der Mei. They found
that some lipid levels, including total cholesterol, were associated with
greater disability.
two things. First, they “examined whether lipid levels were associated with
actual disability,” said lead researcher Dr. Ingrid van der Mei. They found
that some lipid levels, including total cholesterol, were associated with
greater disability.
“These associations were
seen even after we took other factors into account,” said van der Mei,
“including how much physical activity people did, smoking, people’s age, and
gender.”
seen even after we took other factors into account,” said van der Mei,
“including how much physical activity people did, smoking, people’s age, and
gender.”
Van der Mei’s team also
examined whether lipid levels caused faster disease progression. “We found that
the ratio of total cholesterol levels relative to High Density Lipoproteins
(HDL) was associated with a higher change in disability.”
examined whether lipid levels caused faster disease progression. “We found that
the ratio of total cholesterol levels relative to High Density Lipoproteins
(HDL) was associated with a higher change in disability.”
But could the disease
progression actually be causing an increase in “bad fat” levels? “We
could not find evidence that this was the result of reverse causality,” said
van der Mei, “—that those who progress faster have less physical activity, increase
their weight, and as a result, have higher lipid levels, but we can not rule
this out.”
progression actually be causing an increase in “bad fat” levels? “We
could not find evidence that this was the result of reverse causality,” said
van der Mei, “—that those who progress faster have less physical activity, increase
their weight, and as a result, have higher lipid levels, but we can not rule
this out.”
source: MSFYi June 30th edition
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