Title:Alpha Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide, Neuropeptide Y, and Substance P
as Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Disease Activity and Severity in Multiple
Sclerosis
Volume: 23
Issue: 4
Author(s): Maha S. Al-Keilani*, Basima A. Almomani, Saied A. Jaradat, Nour A. Al-Sawalha and Majdi Al Qawasmeh
Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan
Keywords:
Multiple sclerosis, aCGRP, NPY, SP, relapsing-remitting, progressive, biomarker, EDSS.
Abstract:
Background: Alpha calcitonin gene-related peptide (aCGRP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and
substance P (SP) are neuropeptides that have emerged recently as potent immunomodulatory factors
with potential as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in multiple sclerosis (MS).
Objective: The study aimed to detect serum levels of aCGRP, NPY, and SP in MS patients versus
healthy controls and their association with disease activity and severity.
Methods: Serum levels were measured in MS patients and age and sex-matched healthy controls using
ELISA.
Results: We included 67 MS patients: 61 relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS) and 6 progressive MS
(PR-MS), and 67 healthy controls. Serum NPY level was found to be lower in MS patients than in
healthy controls (p < 0.001). Serum aCGRP level was higher in PR-MS compared to RR-MS (p =
0.007) and healthy controls (p = 0.001), and it positively correlated with EDSS (r = 0.270, p = 0.028).
Serum NPY level was significantly higher in RR-MS and PR-MS than in healthy controls (p < 0.001
and p = 0.001, respectively), and it was lower in patients with mild or moderate/severe disease than in
healthy controls (p < 0.001). Significant inverse correlations were found between SP level and MS
disease duration (r = -0.279, p = 0.022) and duration of current DMT (r = -0.315, p = 0.042).
Conclusion: Lower serum levels of NPY were revealed in MS patients compared to healthy controls.
Since serum levels of aCGRP are significantly associated with disease activity and severity, it is a potential
disease progression marker.
