Serum leptin levels during pregnancy in multiple sclerosis

BackgroundDisease activity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is suppressed during pregnancy, whereas attack frequency increases after delivery. It is yet unclear, which immuno – endocrinological processes mediate these disease fluctuations. Leptin has been identified as a hormone that can influence inflammatory activity.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate whether pregnancy-induced fluctuations of serum leptin levels differed between patients with MS and controls and whether serum leptin levels correlate with periods of enhanced and diminished disease activity.MethodsWomen with MS and healthy women were prospectively followed during and after pregnancy. The MS group could be studied already at a timepoint before pregnancy. Serum leptin and soluble leptin receptor (SLR) levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsPre-pregnancy serum leptin levels were (mean ± SD) 22.9 ± 12.8 ng/ml in the MS group. These levels increased in the third trimester to 28.5 ± 15.0 ng/ml...