Project Number
N07 09-203
Project title
The role of the Mediterranean-type diet with moderate wine consumption on disability status in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients screened for vascular risk factors.
Project leader
Van Rensburg, S J
Institution
University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Health Sciences. Department of Pathology
Team members
Van Rensburg, S J
Kotze, M J
Van Velden, D P
Moremi, K
Nelson, M
Erasmus, E
Kidd, J
Objectives & Rationale
We tested the hypothesis that the Mediterranean-type diet with moderate alcohol consumption would be beneficial to people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) by correlating lifestyle, including alcohol consumption, with the disability status of the patients, using the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
Methods
We collected data from MS patients at the Genetic Care Centre at Tygerberg Academic Hospital. We also collected blood samples for genetics and biochemistry tests. We recorded lifestyle details of patients using questionnaires approved by the Ethics Review Board of the University of Stellenbosch. The data were stored in a secure electronic database. Patients with MS were assessed using lifestyle and diet questionnaires as well as genetic and biochemical tests to identify markers for disability progression. The diet questionnaire evaluated intake of saturated/trans fats, folate, and fruit/vegetables, as well as smoking and alcohol consumption. Patients indicated how many days a week they ate certain foods. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate associations between diet and age at diagnosis, lifestyle factors, biochemistry and genetics.
Key Results
We found evidence of abnormal bloodflow patterns in the major neck vessels in patients with MS and effects of biochemistry and lifestyle factors on these parameters. In addition, we found evidence that previously treated malaria in an iron and vitamin D deficient Nigerian patient could present with MS as a complication of the malaria. Furthermore, we found that polymorphic variants in the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene rs4680 (472G>A) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene rs1801131 (1298A>C) and rs1801133 (677C>T) were modifiers of disability in patients with multiple sclerosis. These results were published in peer-reviewed journals.
We also conducted whole exome sequencing in two children with iron deficiency diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and recorded the influence of TMPRSS6 A736V and HFE C282Y on serum iron parameters and age of onset in patients with multiple sclerosis Furthermore, we presented a poster on the effects of diet, smoking and alcohol consumption on disability (EDSS) in people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Conclusion/Discussion
It was found that the interaction of genetic variations with lifestyle factors may play a significant role in clinical outcomes in MS. Moderate alcohol consumption may be of benefit to people diagnosed with MS. Patient numbers need to be increased to improve statistical power, and further associations between genetics and biochemical data need to be investigated.
Poster(s)
Van Rensburg, S J, Davis, W, Geiger, D, Cronje, F J, Whati, L, Kidd, M and Kotze, M J. 2015. The effects of diet, smoking and alcohol consumption on disability in people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Poster presented at the South African Neuroscience Society Symposium. 26 November 2015, Durban, South Africa.
Van Rensburg, S J, Davis, W, Geiger, D, Cronje, F J, Whati, L, Kidd, M and Kotze, M J. 2015. Effects of diet, smoking and alcohol consumption on disability (EDSS) in people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Poster presented at the Biological Psychiatry Congress. 24-27 September, Somerset West, South Africa.
Fisher, L R, Moremi, K E, Lückhoff, H K, Erasmus, R T, van Rensburg, S J, Kotze, M J. 2015. Genetic variation of iron metabolism in metabolic brain diseases: Test development for clinical application. Poster presented at the 12th International Conference of the Society of Neuroscientists of Africa. 26-30 March, Durban, South Africa.
Nelson, M C, Isaacs, F, Hassan, M S, Cronje, F J, Van Rensburg, S J. 2015. Effects of lifestyle factors on Doppler ultrasound parameters of the major neck vessels in patients with Multiple Sclerosis in the Western Cape, South Africa. Poster presented at the 12th International Conference of the Society of Neuroscientists of Africa, 26-30 March, Durban, South Africa.
Van Sensie, N, van Rensburg, S J, Geiger, D, Luckhoff, H, Kotze, MJ. 2015. Investigating the role of polymorphic variants in the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene rs4680 (472G>A) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene rs1801131 (1298A>C) and rs1801133 (677C>T) as modifiers of disability in patients with multiple sclerosis. Poster presented at the 12th International Conference of the Society of Neuroscientists of Africa, 26-30 March, Durban, South Africa.
Moremi, K, Kotze, M J, Lückhoff, H K, Fisher, L R, Kidd, M, van Toorn, R, van Rensburg, S J. 2015. Influence of TMPRSS6 A736V and HFE C282Y on serum iron parameters and age of onset in patients with multiple sclerosis. Poster presented at the Biological Psychiatry Congress . 24-27 September, Somerset West, South Africa.
Presentation(s)
van Rensburg, S J, van Toorn, R, Schoeman, J F, Peeters, A, Fisher, L R, Moremi, K, Kotze, M J. 2015. Iron deficiency in two children diagnosed with multiple sclerosis – report on whole exome sequencing. Presented at the Biological Psychiatry Congress. 24-27 September, Somerset West, South Africa.
Article
Nelson, M C, Isaacs, F, Hassan, M S, Kidd, M, Cronje, F J, Van Rensburg, S J. 2014. Prevalence of abnormal blood flow patterns and effects of biochemistry and lifestyle factors on the major neck vessels in patients with multiple sclerosis in the Western Cape, Medical Technology SA, Mnth June v. 28 (1) (p. 26-33)
http://mtsaj.co.za/index.php/mtsaj/article/viewFile/101/101
Van Rensburg, S J, Van Toorn, R, Moremi, K E, Peeters, A V, Oguniyi, A, Kotze, M J. 2016. Multiple sclerosis-like diagnosis as a complication of previously treated malaria in an iron and vitamin D deficient Nigerian patient, Metabolic Brain Disease, Mnth February v. 31 (1) (p. 197-204)
doi: 10.1007/s11011-015-9788-4