Study Reveals MS Vitamin for reducing attacks in Multiple Sclerosis

To contact us Click HERE

This MS vitamin sounds promising, according to a more recent study, for helping to reduce attacks in Multiple Sclerosis.
Glucosamine-Like SupplementSuppresses Multiple Sclerosis Attacks, Study Suggests 

ScienceDaily (Sep. 30, 2011) — Aglucosamine-like dietary supplement suppresses the damaging autoimmune responseseen in multiple sclerosis, according to a UC Irvine study. 

UCI's Dr. Michael Demetriou, Ani Grigorian andothers found that oral N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), which is similar to butmore effective than the widely available glucosamine, inhibited the growth andfunction of abnormal T-cells that in MS incorrectly direct the immune system toattack and break down central nervous system tissue that insulates nerves. 

Study results appear online in the Journal ofBiological Chemistry. 

Earlier this year, Demetriou and colleaguesdiscovered that environmental and inherited risk factors associated with MS --previously poorly understood and not known to be connected -- converge toaffect how specific sugars are added to proteins regulating the disease. 

"This sugar-based supplement corrects agenetic defect that induces cells to attack the body in MS," saidDemetriou, associate professor of neurology and microbiology & moleculargenetics, "making metabolic therapy a rational approach that differssignificantly from currently available treatments." 

Virtually all proteins on the surface of cells,including immune cells such as T-cells, are modified by complex sugar moleculesof variable sizes and composition. Recent studies have linked changes in thesesugars to T-cell hyperactivity and autoimmune disease. 

In mouse models of MS-like autoimmune disease,Demetriou and his team found that GlcNAc given orally to those with leg weaknesssuppressed T-cell hyperactivity and autoimmune response by increasing sugarmodifications to the T-cell proteins, thereby reversing the progression toparalysis. 

The study comes on the heels of others showing thepotential of GlcNAc in humans. One reported that eight of 12 children withtreatment-resistant autoimmune inflammatory bowel disease improvedsignificantly after two years of GlcNAc therapy. No serious adverse sideeffects were noted. 
"Together, thesefindings identify metabolic therapy using dietary supplements such as GlcNAc asa possible treatment for autoimmune diseases," said Demetriou, associatedirector of UCI's Multiple Sclerosis Research Center. "Excitement aboutthis strategy stems from the novel mechanism for affecting T-cell function andautoimmunity -- the targeting of a molecular defect promoting disease -- andits availability and simplicity." 

He cautioned that more human studies are requiredto assess the full potential of the approach. GlcNAc supplements are availableover the counter and differ from commercially popular glucosamine. People whopurchase GlcNAc should consult with their doctors before use. 

Lindsey Araujo and Dylan Place of UCI and Nandita N. Naiduand Biswa Choudhury of UC San Diego alsoparticipated in the research, which was funded by the National Institutes ofHealth and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. 
If all goes well, time with tell if this turns out to be something that can help more people with Multiple Sclerosis for reducing the number and frequency of attacks, but this may still be worth considering at a future date.