Homocysteine and vitamine B12 in multiple sclerosis

The levels of cobalamin and homocysteine in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) were evaluated. The mean value of cobalamin (B12 ) in serum and cerebrosphinal fluid (CSF) in MS patients were 0.176±0.0177 and 0.059±0.003 μmol/l respectively whereas the levels were 0.317±0.02 and 0.081±0.005 μmol/l respectively in the healthy subjects. The mean homocysteine(HC) levels in serum and CSF in MS patients were 13.05 ±0.54 and 3.07±0.15 μmol/l respectively as compared to 2.85±0.15 and 1.06±0.07 in the healthy subjects. The increased levels of HC and decreased levels in B12 in serum as well as in CSF in MS patients were significant ( p<0.001) as compared to healthy subjects. Our finding indicate that MS patients are particularly prone to B12 deficiency resulting into increased levels of HC both in serum and CSF and this even subtle biochemical signs of abnormality seems to justify B6 and B12 treatment.