Ferritin, transferrin and iron concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis patients

The concentrations of ferritin, transferrin and iron were measured in the c erebrospinal fluid (CSF) of multiple sclerosis (MS) and control patients. F erritin levels were significantly elevated in the CSF of chronic progressiv e active MS patients (4.71 +/- 0.54 ng/ml) compared to levels in normal ind ividuals (3.07 +/- 0.17 ng/ml). MS patients with active or stable relapsing -remitting disease had ferritin levels that were comparable to those found in normal individuals. There were no significant differences in transferrin or iron levels in the CSF between MS and normal individuals. Both ferritin and transferrin levels were elevated in patients that had high CSF IgG val ues but not in patients with a high Ige index. Since ferritin binds iron, t he increase of CSF ferritin levels in chronic progressive MS patients could be a defense mechanism to protect against iron induced oxidative injury. F erritin levels could be a laboratory measure that helps to distinguish betw een chronic progressive and relapsing-remitting MS. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scien ce B.V. All rights reserved.