Increased level of plasma salusin-α and salusin-β in patients with multiple sclerosis

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a potentially progressive autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system. The pathology of MS is characterized by inflammation, demyelination, reactive gliosis and neuronal damage. Salusin-alpha and salusin-beta have been shown to be widely expressed in many tissues, including the central nervous system. In our study, we investigated whether salusin-alpha and salusin-beta peptides had a relation with inflammation and whether it is related to Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) disease. Methods: Forty healthy controls and forty patients with RRMS were included in the study. Salusin-alpha and Salusin-beta levels were measured by Enzyme-linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA). Results: Salusin-alpha and salusin-beta levels were high at a significant level in RRMS patients compared to healthy controls (p < 0.000). We found a strong positive correlation between salusin-alpha and salusin-beta levels (p < 0.0001, r = 0,9925). Conclusion: In conclusion, we found that there was a relationship between salusin-alpha and salusin-beta levels, and MS disease. Since RRMS is the first stage of MS and its most common type, it is important to perform biomarker studies in this period in terms of early planning of treatment. Although salusin-alpha and salusin-beta levels increase in RRMS patients, further studies are needed to understand its relation with other neurological and inflammatory diseases to define it as a biomarker.