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Significance of serum VIP and PACAP in multiple sclerosis: an exploratory case–control study

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Abstract

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. Vasoactive and intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) are neuropeptides that play roles in anti-inflammation and neuroprotection in MS. In this study, we aimed to determine the serum levels of VIP and PACAP in MS patients versus healthy controls and to correlate them with demographics and clinical characteristics.

Methods

Serum samples were collected from MS patients (n = 145) and healthy controls (n = 73) to measure serum levels VIP and PACAP.

Results

VIP serum levels were lower in MS patients than healthy controls (p < 0.001). Serum PACAP levels were the same among the two groups. Gender-based analysis showed that VIP levels were lower in healthy females (1238.840 pg/ml) than healthy males (3300.105 pg/ml; p < 0.001), and PACAP serum levels were significantly lower in male MS patients (48,516.214 fg/ml) than female MS patients (62,466.400 fg/ml; p = 0.029). ROC curve suggested that serum VIP level can discriminate patients with MS from healthy controls. Relapsing–remitting MS, progressive-MS, and clinically isolated syndrome groups were different in age, MS disease duration, EDSS score, and VIP levels (p < 0.05). MS disease type and history of previous relapses in the preceding 24 months predicted serum VIP levels, while gender predicted PACAP levels.

Conclusion

VIP serum levels are decreased in MS patients and can be used to differentiate between MS patients and healthy controls. Further studies with larger sample sizes are required to investigate VIP as a marker to reflect MS disease progression.

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Data availability

The data may be provided by the corresponding author upon request.

Abbreviations

MS:

Multiple sclerosis

CNS:

Central nervous system

Th:

T-helper

VIP:

Vasoactive intestinal peptide

PACAP:

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide

VPAC1:

Vasoactive intestinal peptide type 1

VPAC2:

Vasoactive intestinal peptide type 2

PAC1:

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide type 1 receptor

EDSS:

Expanded Disability Status Scale

RR-MS:

Relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis

PR-MS:

Progressive multiple sclerosis

CIS:

Clinically isolated syndrome

ROC:

Receiver operating characteristic

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Doctor Waleed Batiha, a neurologist at PBTH, for his helpful advices and cooperation with the research team.

Funding

This study was funded by Scientific Research Support, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Amman, Jordan. Research Grant No: 2018126.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Jordan

    Maha S. Al-Keilani, Basima A. Almomani & Nour A. Al-Sawalha

  2. College of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Jordan

    Majdi Al Qawasmeh

  3. College of Science and Art, Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Jordan

    Saied A. Jaradat

Authors
  1. Maha S. Al-Keilani
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Contributions

MSA generated the idea, designed and supervised the study, and prepared the original draft. BAA contributed to data entry into SPSS, analysis, and interpretation. NAA supervised serum sample analysis and participated in interpreting the data and preparing the figures. MA participated in the recruitment of patients. SAJ contributed to the analysis and interpretation of the data. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maha S. Al-Keilani.

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Ethical approval

The study was approved by the Research and Ethics Committee at Jordan University of Science and Technology (registration number 17/115/2018).

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All subjects signed a written informed consent in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

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Not applicable.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Al-Keilani, M.S., Almomani, B.A., Al-Sawalha, N.A. et al. Significance of serum VIP and PACAP in multiple sclerosis: an exploratory case–control study. Neurol Sci 43, 2621–2630 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-021-05682-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-021-05682-5

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