Α-Linolenic acid is associated with MRI activity in a prospective cohort of multiple sclerosis patients. (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bjornevik, Kjetil; Myhr, Kjell-Morten; Beiske, Antonie; Bjerve, Kristian S; Holmøy, Trygve; Hovdal, Harald; Midgard, Rune; Riise, Trond; Wergeland, Stig; Torkildsen, Øivind
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis. Volume 25:Number 7(2019)
• Page Start: 987
• Page End: 993
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: Omega 3 fatty acids -- alpha linolenic acid -- disease activity; Central nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Myelin sheath -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple sclerosis -- Periodicals; Central Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Demyelinating Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple Sclerosis -- Periodicals; Système nerveux central -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Gaine de myéline -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Inflammation (Pathologie) -- Périodiques; Sclérose en plaques -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.834005
• DOI: 10.1177/1352458518779925
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4585

Abstract

Background: The plant-based ω-3 fatty acid α-linolenic acid (ALA) has been associated with lower MS risk. It is currently unknown whether ALA affects disease activity. Objective: To investigate the association between ALA levels and disease activity. Methods: We conducted a cohort study including 87 multiple sclerosis (MS)-patients who originally participated in a randomized trial of ω-3 fatty acids (the OFAMS study). We measured serum levels of ALA during follow-up and used random intercept logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between ALA levels, new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) progression and new relapses adjusting for age at inclusion, sex, and use of interferon beta-1a. Results: In continuous (per 1-SD increase) multivariable-adjusted analyses, higher ALA levels were significantly associated with lower odds of new T2-lesions (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.37–0.95) during follow-up. The effect estimates were similar for new T1Gd + lesions (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.48–1.11), EDSS-progression (OR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.34–1.16) and new relapses (OR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.22–1.10), but these estimates did not reach statistical significance. Further adjustment for vitamin D and tobacco use did not materially change the results. Conclusion: We found that higher levels of ALA were associated with lower disease activity in MS-patients.