The role of the so-called “obesity hormone” leptin and hormones used for birth control in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) is examined in two new studies released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 66th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, April 26 to May 3, 2014. The study was led by Jorge Correale, MD, from the Raúl Carrera Institute for Neurological Research, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Dr. Correale suggested to Medscape Medical News that obesity appears to be an additional factor involved in the genesis of MS, an effect that may be mediated by the hormone leptin. In obese MS patients leptin increases the proliferation of auto-aggressive cells responsible for myelin damage. Leptin inhibits the actions, and reduces the number of regulatory cells that under normal conditions control auto-aggressive cells. These 2 mechanisms explain, at least in part, some of the obesity effects.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 09:58:20 +0000
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