Staging of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis – the promising role of the BDNF/VEGF ratio

Abstract

Introduction/Objective Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may play important roles in the development and monitoring of multiple sclerosis (MS). BDNF is a neuroprotective factor in the process of inflammation, degeneration, and demyelination in MS. Inflammatory cells stimulate angiogenesis in demyelinating lesions through the release of VEGF, which is a proinflammatory factor.

Methods The study included 86 subjects: 20 healthy individuals and 66 patients with relapsing, who were divided into three groups: patients in remission, patients at the onset of MS relapse, and patients at the end of corticosteroid therapy for disease relapse.

Results The study showed a statistically significant difference in BDNF concentration between patient groups at baseline and at the end of therapy for disease relapse, as well as a difference in VEGF concentration between groups. The BDNF/VEGF ratio was increased in patients in remission compared with the control group; this ratio decreased significantly in patients at the onset of MS relapse compared with patients in remission.

Conclusion This study describes the BDNF/VEGF ratio for the first time as a biomarker that may be of interest in well-controlled longitudinal studies for staging relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis and evaluating the response to therapy during relapses.

Keywords: relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis; BDNF; VEGF; BDNF/VEGF; CRP; IL-6