Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 Levels Elevated in MS Patients' Serum

Background: Various factors contribute to the pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), one of which is Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2). The function of FGF2 is pleiotropic. The investigation of the role of this factor in the myelination has produced conflicting results. Objective: To investigate the serum levels of FGF2 in patients with MS. Material and Methods: Eighty patients with MS and eighty healthy volunteers with no history of inflammation or demyelinating disorders were included, and serum samples were collected to evaluate serum levels of FGF2 using the ELISA technique. Both groups had the same age and gender distribution. For analysis, the Mann-Whitney U test was used. Results: Patients with MS had considerably greater serum FGF2 levels than the control group (P=0.005). There was no difference between the FGF2 level in men and women. Conclusion: Our data indicate that FGF2 levels may be related to the susceptibility of Iranian patients with MS. Further studies are required to analyze the involvement of FGF2 in enhancing the inflammatory process in MS.