Dietary Supplement May Help Treat MS

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A dietary supplement similar to glucosamine (commonly used to address arthritis symptoms) may turn out to be a treatment that could put the brakes on multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune diseases. Research from the University of California, Irvine, found that oral N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) inhibited the growth and function of abnormal T-cells that, in MS, direct the immune system to attack tissue that protects nerves. The studies were done in mice with an MS-like autoimmune disease that causes leg weakness. The supplement, given orally, reversed progression of the weakness, preventing its usual course to paralysis. The research team leader said that GlcNAc works by correcting a genetic defect that induces cells to attack the body. In MS, this correction would suppress hyperactivity of abnormal T-cells (a type of immune system cell) and the autoimmune response by increasing sugar modifications to T-cell proteins. The UC Irvine lead researcher noted that elsewhere a clinical trial found that eight of 12 children with treatment-resistant autoimmune inflammatory bowel disease improved significantly after taking GlcNAc for two years. More human studies are needed to further explore this approach. The study was published online September 29 in The Journal of Biological Chemistry.

My take? It will be interesting to see if this new approach is as promising as this study suggests it may be. MS is one of the most baffling of all diseases - we know very little about what triggers it and what factors influence its progression and outcome. Integrative approaches are ideal for MS patients because of the disease's variability and potential to go into remission, as well as its responsiveness to non-pharmaceutical interventions including stress reduction, mind/body therapies and changes in diet and lifestyle. Read more about multiple sclerosis.

Posted in: Journal of Biological Chemistry