Contributions
Abstract: P986
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Environmental risk factors
Background: Elevated serum antibody levels against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and a poor vitamin D status have both been identified as potential risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS). An interaction between these factors is plausible due to the effect of vitamin D on humoral immune responses.
Objectives: To examine effects of high-dose oral vitamin D3 supplementation on antibody levels against EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).
Methods: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D) and immunoglobulin G antibody levels against EBNA1 (whole protein and amino acid 385-420 fragment), EBV viral-capsid antigen (VCA), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and varicella zoster virus (VZV) were measured in 68 RRMS patients enrolled in a 96-week randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial of oral vitamin D3 supplementation (20,000 IU/week) (NCT00785473). Samples were obtained at baseline, week 48 and at study conclusion, and no restrictions were set on the use of disease modifying treatments. The main results were analysed by use of a mixed model approach and verified by use of Mann-Whitney tests.
Results: The mean 25(OH)D level more than doubled in the vitamin D group from the initiation to the conclusion of the study with end of study levels being significantly higher than in the placebo group (123.2 versus 61.8 nmol/L, p< 0.001). Compared to the placebo group, both anti-EBNA1 protein and fragment antibody levels decreased in the vitamin D group from baseline to week 48 (p=0.038 and p=0.004, respectively), but not from baseline to week 96. Vitamin D3 supplementation did not affect antibodies against VCA, CMV or VZV when matched to placebo.
Conclusions: The results indicate that high-dose oral vitamin D3 supplementation may selectively and transiently affect humoral immune responses against the latent EBV antigen EBNA1 in RRMS.
Disclosure:
E Røsjø has received honoraria for participation in a clinical trial from Merck Serono and speaker honoraria from Fisher Scientific.
A Lossius has received speaker honoraria from Genzyme and Fisher Scientific.
N Abdelmagid has received a grant from Biogen Idec.
P Sundström has received travel support and honoraria for serving as a member of a stipend committee from Biogen Idec.
T Olsson has received unrestricted grant support and/or honoraria for lectures or advisory boards from Genzyme, Biogen, Novartis and Merck Serono.
Ø Torkildsen has served on scientific advisory boards for Biogen Idec, Merck Serono and Genzyme, and received speaker honoraria and travel grants from Genzyme, Merck Serono, Novartis and Biogen Idec.
T Holmøy has received speaker honoraria, travel support from and unrestricted research grants from Sanofi Aventis, Biogen Idec, Bayer HealtCare Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Genzyme and Merck Serono.
JC Lindstrøm, LH Steffensen, L Jørgensen and MT Kampman report no disclosures.
Abstract: P986
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Environmental risk factors
Background: Elevated serum antibody levels against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and a poor vitamin D status have both been identified as potential risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS). An interaction between these factors is plausible due to the effect of vitamin D on humoral immune responses.
Objectives: To examine effects of high-dose oral vitamin D3 supplementation on antibody levels against EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).
Methods: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D) and immunoglobulin G antibody levels against EBNA1 (whole protein and amino acid 385-420 fragment), EBV viral-capsid antigen (VCA), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and varicella zoster virus (VZV) were measured in 68 RRMS patients enrolled in a 96-week randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial of oral vitamin D3 supplementation (20,000 IU/week) (NCT00785473). Samples were obtained at baseline, week 48 and at study conclusion, and no restrictions were set on the use of disease modifying treatments. The main results were analysed by use of a mixed model approach and verified by use of Mann-Whitney tests.
Results: The mean 25(OH)D level more than doubled in the vitamin D group from the initiation to the conclusion of the study with end of study levels being significantly higher than in the placebo group (123.2 versus 61.8 nmol/L, p< 0.001). Compared to the placebo group, both anti-EBNA1 protein and fragment antibody levels decreased in the vitamin D group from baseline to week 48 (p=0.038 and p=0.004, respectively), but not from baseline to week 96. Vitamin D3 supplementation did not affect antibodies against VCA, CMV or VZV when matched to placebo.
Conclusions: The results indicate that high-dose oral vitamin D3 supplementation may selectively and transiently affect humoral immune responses against the latent EBV antigen EBNA1 in RRMS.
Disclosure:
E Røsjø has received honoraria for participation in a clinical trial from Merck Serono and speaker honoraria from Fisher Scientific.
A Lossius has received speaker honoraria from Genzyme and Fisher Scientific.
N Abdelmagid has received a grant from Biogen Idec.
P Sundström has received travel support and honoraria for serving as a member of a stipend committee from Biogen Idec.
T Olsson has received unrestricted grant support and/or honoraria for lectures or advisory boards from Genzyme, Biogen, Novartis and Merck Serono.
Ø Torkildsen has served on scientific advisory boards for Biogen Idec, Merck Serono and Genzyme, and received speaker honoraria and travel grants from Genzyme, Merck Serono, Novartis and Biogen Idec.
T Holmøy has received speaker honoraria, travel support from and unrestricted research grants from Sanofi Aventis, Biogen Idec, Bayer HealtCare Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Genzyme and Merck Serono.
JC Lindstrøm, LH Steffensen, L Jørgensen and MT Kampman report no disclosures.