Vitamin B3 protects nerve tissue from
further damage
in mice with MS-like disease
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Medical Update Memo
September 29, 2006
Summary
Researchers report that treatment with nicotinamide, a form
of vitamin B3, prevented damaged nerve fibres from degenerating
further in a mouse model of MS. Shinjiro Kaneko, MD, and colleagues
(Children's Hospital Boston) report their findings in the September
20 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience. Further testing is
needed before these findings can be applied to developing a
possible therapy for people with MS.
Details
Dr. Shinjiro Kaneko and colleagues at the Children's Hospital
Boston report that treatment with nicotinamide, a form of
vitamin B3, prevented damaged nerve fibres from degenerating
further in a mouse model of MS. Their findings are in the
September 20 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience (2006;
26: 9794-9804).
The immune attack in MS injures myelin, the insulation that
speeds nerve impulse conduction between nerve cells. The underlying,
wire-like nerve fibres (axons) are also damaged. Finding treatments
to protect axons is crucial – researchers believe that
it is this damage that underlies the progression of disability
in MS.
Dr. Kaneko and colleagues had shown previously that the enzyme
nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) decreases when axons
degenerate in mice. Injections of NAD or nicotinamide – a
form of vitamin B3 that can be turned into NAD – prevented
injury to axons.
In the current study, the research team injected nicotinamide
to mice with an MS-like disease, experimental autoimmune
encephalomyelitis (EAE). Treatment succeeded in reducing
inflammation and myelin destruction, and also protected axons
from loss, including those that had already lost their myelin
sheaths. Neurological symptoms were reduced as well, most
profoundly in mice given the highest doses of nicotinamide.
Further testing is needed before these findings can be applied
to developing a possible therapy for people with MS. According
to a press release from Children’s Hospital Boston,
the nicotinamide doses used in mice would translate into
much higher doses in humans than are normally used and similar
doses in humans could be toxic. These dosage levels need
to be tested thoroughly for safety, since excessive intake
of several types of vitamins can have severe side effects.
A number of researchers are examining whether vitamins might
be useful in treating MS. MS Society of Canada funded researchers
at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto are combining
vitamin B12 with beta interferon (one of the disease modifying
therapies for MS) or with paclitaxel, a drug used to treat
cancer. Using a mouse model, Mario Moscarello, Ph.D., and Fabrizio
Mastronardi, Ph.D., found the combination was able to reduce
myelin loss, improve clinical signs and restore function in
mice that develop an MS-like disease.
[With information from the National MS Society (USA)]
ASK MS Information System Code: 1.4.3.8.7.k
National Research Department
National Marketing and Communications Department
Disclaimer
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is an independent,
voluntary health agency and does not approve, endorse or
recommend any specific product or therapy but provides
information to assist individuals in making their own decisions.
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