With proper nutrition, slow down multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis: Diet affects the onset and the course
The course of multiple sclerosis (MS) can be significantly influenced by the diet. Long-chain fatty acids promote the development and proliferation of inflammatory cells in the intestinal wall, while "short-chain fatty acids lead to the formation and spread of regulatory cells of the immune system", scientists from the Ruhr University Bochum report on their current study results. In addition to the conventional treatment, a targeted conversion of diet could therefore be used to counteract the chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease.

The human intestine with its bacterial colonization, the so-called microbiome, is in the focus of medical research in numerous neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, according to the Ruhr-University Bochum. Increasing scientific evidence on the influence of the microbiome on the disease and the disease has been discovered, with the interaction with the immune system plays a central role. This interaction is determined by different influencing factors. The drastic changes in nutrition in the modern industrial nations over the last decades could therefore play a significant role in the increased occurrence of certain diseases. However, according to the current results of the scientists, dietary measures may also be used to treat conditions such as MS.

Proper nutrition can help in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. (Image: ag visual / fotolia.com)

Long-chain and short-chain fatty acids
Together with researchers from the Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen, the scientists of the Neurological Clinics of the Ruhr University Bochum have investigated in a cooperation study, which influence fatty acids in the food on the emergence and the course of autoimmune chronic inflammatory illnesses have. Both experiments in cell culture dishes and in the experimental model have shown "that long-chain fatty acids such as lauric acid promote the formation and proliferation of inflammatory cells in the intestinal wall," according to the Ruhr-Universität. In contrast, short-chain fatty acids, especially propionic acid (or its salt propionate), have contributed to the development and spread of immune system regulatory cells in the gut wall. Such regulatory cells can suppress both excessive inflammatory reactions and autoreactive cells that damage the body's own tissue, the researchers report.

Microbiome determines the effect of fatty acids
According to the scientists, a correlation between the effect of fatty acids and the existing microbiome suggested that the observations in the animal experiment were not confirmed as soon as the intestine was completely free of germs. "This suggests a direct involvement of the microbiome in the unfolding of the fatty acid effect," reports the Ruhr University. Further studies have shown "that the effects of fatty acids are less attributable to the individual microbiome microbes, but rather are mediated through the metabolites of the bacteria." The scientists have published their findings in the journal "Immunity".

Diets to strengthen regulatory cells
The imbalance between the (weakened) regulatory and autoimmune inflammatory immune mechanisms plays, according to the researchers, a crucial role in the development of MS and other autoimmune diseases. For this reason, the vast majority of approved therapies specifically target a weakening or blocking of the pro-inflammatory component of the immune system. However, it would also be possible to strengthen regulatory components such as propionate as an adjunct to established drugs, the scientists report. In her opinion, this could contribute to a significant improvement in therapy. (Fp)