5^th Annual European Pharma Congress

Biography

Biography: Lanja Ibrahim Saeed

Abstract

Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has received substantial attention due to devastating symptoms, disability progression, mental health and cost of polytherapy. To investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation as an add on to interferon beta on immunological, biochemical, radiological and clinical outcomes. Patients and methods: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study conducted in 54 MS patients on interferon beta at MS Center in Sulaimaniyah City, KRG-Iraq. Total of 43 patients completed the study. On vitamin D3 arm 13 patients received 10000 IU/day, 14 patients received 5000IU/day and on placebo arm 16 patients treated with placebo. Serum cytokines IL-2 and TGF-β₁ were measured. Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, cognition (MFIS), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), 9-hole peg test, 25-foot walk, lesion numbers at T2 and T1 enhancing lesion, brain atrophy, relapse occurrences were assessed twice for every patient at baseline and after six months of treatment. Results: after six months of treatment; serum vitamin D level significantly increased MFIS, EDSS and cognition function improved significantly, relapse rate reduced very significantly, TGF-β₁ serum level increased, IL-2 level and MS Functional Composite changed but not significantly, Gadolinium-enhancing lesions reduced significantly compared to placebo. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is considered as both risk factor and consequences of MS. The optimum serum vitamin D level (40ng/ml) can be achieved faster by 10000IU vitamin D3/daily which can be considered as a loading dose, also favoured for prevention of relapse occurrences this level can be maintained by 5000IU vitamin D3/daily and keeping its therapeutic potential without causing hyperkalaemia.