CSF isoprostane levels are a biomarker of oxidative stress in multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential of 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2α) (8-iso-PGF(2α)) as a biomarker for disease activity and oxidative stress in the CSF of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: The isoprostane 8-iso-PGF(2α) is an established biomarker for in vivo oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. We measured CSF 8-isoPGF(2α) levels in 231 patients with MS (74 with relapsing-remitting MS, 67 with primary progressive MS, and 90 with secondary progressive MS [SPMS]) and 40 controls using a competition ELISA. RESULTS: We found increased CSF levels of 8-iso-PGF(2α) in patients with MS compared to controls, with the most striking values in a subgroup of patients with SPMS. Furthermore, the increase in 8-iso-PGF(2α) correlated with other parameters of lipid peroxidation as well as with a decrease in the total antioxidant status in the MS CSF samples. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that CSF levels of 8-iso-PGF(2α) may serve as a biomarker of oxidative stress in MS. Further investigation will help establish the pathologic and clinical significance of our preliminary findings.