Italian 
English CONTRIBUTI SCIENTIFICI – Scientific Papers
Volume:
Biochimica Clinica 2014; 38(3) 218-221
Pubblicato on-line:
DOI:
Is there a role for serum cystatin C as a biomarker of multiple sclerosis?
AUTORI
1Laboratorio Analisi I, Department of Laboratory Medicine, and 2Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiological Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome
ABSTRACT
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS). No single clinical feature or diagnostic test is sufficient for the diagnosis of MS and the clinical assessment is very difficult, mainly at the early disease stages. Considering MS as a disorder confined to CNS compartment and related to CNS specific pathogenetic pathways, several studies selectively investigated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) components to detect predictive/prognostic MS markers. Several molecules, such as CSF 14-3-3 protein, tau protein and cystatin C, have been found dysregulated, even though with discordant results. We analyzed serum and CSF cystatin C concentrations of MS patients, comparing them with results obtained from individuals affected by other neurological diseases. We found no statistical differences between groups in CSF cystatin C, cystatin C difference (DCystC = CSF – serum cystatin C) and ratio (CystCratio = CSF/serum cystatin C). Interestingly, serum cystatin C concentrations of MS patients resulted significantly lower than in control population [0.71 (interquartile range, 0.64-0.84) mg/L vs. 0.80 (0.67-0.93) mg/L, P=0.008], with no gender-related differences. The pathophysiologic explanation of this finding is unclear, although it cannot be excluded that pathologic mechanisms that lead to MS may involve not only the CNS compartment, but also systemic pathogenetic pathways.