1. ¹Department of Biomedical Research, Numico Research BV, Wageningen, The Netherlands
2. ²Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Correspondence: EAF van Tol, Department of Biomedical Research, Numico Research B.V., PO Box 7005, 6700 CA Wageningen, The Netherlands. E-mail: ric.vantol@numico-research.nl

Received 21 September 2004; Revised 31 May 2005; Accepted 29 June 2005; Published online 24 August 2005.

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Oligodendrocyte damage and subsequent axonal demyelination is a hallmark of this disease. Different pathomechanisms, for example, immune-mediated inflammation, oxidative stress and excitotoxicity, are involved in the immunopathology of MS. The risk of developing MS is associated with increased dietary intake of saturated fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and antioxidant deficiencies along with decreased cellular antioxidant defence mechanisms have been observed in MS patients. Furthermore, antioxidant and PUFA treatment in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, an animal model of MS, decreased the clinical signs of disease. Low-molecular-weight antioxidants may support cellular antioxidant defences in various ways, including radical scavenging, interfering with gene transcription, protein expression, enzyme activity and by metal chelation. PUFAs may not only exert immunosuppressive actions through their incorporation in immune cells but also may affect cell function within the CNS. Both dietary antioxidants and PUFAs have the potential to diminish disease symptoms by targeting specific pathomechanisms and supporting recovery in MS.