The peripheral endocannabinoid system and its association with biomarkers of inflammation in untreated patients with multiple sclerosis

Eur J Neurol. 2023 Jun 20. doi: 10.1111/ene.15930. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has been found altered in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, whether the ECS alteration is present in the early stage of MS remains unknown.

OBJECTIVES: First, to compare the ECS profile between newly diagnosed MS patients and healthy controls (HCs). Next, to explore the association of ECS, biomarkers of inflammation and clinical parameters in newly diagnosed MS patients.

METHODS: Whole blood gene expression of ECS components and levels of endocannabinoids in plasma were measured by real-time qPCR and ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively, in 66 untreated MS patients and 46 HCs.

RESULTS: No differences were found in the gene expression or plasma levels of the selected ECS components between newly diagnosed MS patients and HCs. Interferon gamma, encoded by the gene IFNG, correlated positively (rho = 0.60) with the expression of GPR55 (G Protein-Coupled Receptor 55), and IL1B (interleukin 1 beta) correlated negatively (rho = -0.50) with CNR2 (cannabinoid receptor 2) in HCs.

CONCLUSIONS: We found no alteration in the peripheral ECS between untreated patients with MS and HC. Furthermore, our results indicates that the ECS has a minor overall involvement in the early stage of MS on inflammatory markers and clinical parameters when compared with HCs.

PMID:37337838 | DOI:10.1111/ene.15930