Highlights
- •Oxidized cholesterol molecules (oxysterols) have been implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- •The relationship between oxysterol and vascular pathology was investigated in 99 MS patients and 38 healthy controls.
- •Higher 24-hydroxycholesterol (HC) levels are associated with smaller lumen of the common carotid artery (CCA) in relapsing-remitting MS patients.
- •Higher 24HC levels were also associated with greater time-averaged and peak diastolic velocities.
- •Potent anti-inflammatory therapy may decrease the oxysterol levels in MS patients.
Abstract
Background
Multiple sclerosis (MS) studies suggest greater cardiovascular disease burden and
disturbances in the cholesterol pathways. The potential impact of oxidized cholesterol
molecules on MS is emerging.
Objective
To determine the relationship between multiple oxysterol molecules and atherosclerosis
burden in MS patients.
Materials and Methods
A total of 99 MS patients (61 relapsing-remitting MS(RRMS) and 38 progressive MS (PMS))
patients and 38 healthy controls (HCs) underwent magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)
and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the common carotid artery (CCA) was determined
at three different levels before the bifurcation (C7, C6 and C5). Additionally, an
echo-color Doppler ultrasound was performed and measures of blood flow velocities
were derived. Blood samples acquired at the time of the imaging examinations were
analyzed and 24-, 25-, 27-hydroxycholesterol (24HC, 25HC, 27HC) and 7-ketocholesterol
(7KC) were quantified in ng/mL
Results
In the MS patients, higher levels of 24HC were significantly associated with smaller
CCA CSA measured at all three cervical levels (r=-0.201, p = 0.046; r=-0.228, p = 0.023, and r=-0.215, p = 0.032, for C7, C6 and C5, respectively). These associations were driven by the
RRMS group only (r=-0.407, p = 0.002 for C7; r=-0.414, p = 0.002, for C6; and r=-0.368, p = 0.006 for C5). No associations were seen in the HCs. Despite adjusting for the
significant age effect (B = 0.445, p = 0.004), higher 24HC levels were independently associated with smaller CCA CSA (B=-0.20, p = 0.045). 24HC was additionally associated with greater time-averaged and peak diastolic
CCA velocities. RRMS patients treated with potent anti-inflammatory therapies had
lower oxysterol levels (p = 0.019).
Conclusion
Greater 24HC levels are associated with smaller CSA CCA and greater flow velocities
in RRMS patients.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 22, 2022
Accepted:
May 20,
2022
Received in revised form:
May 8,
2022
Received:
January 12,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
