The Effect Of Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid on Multiple Sclerosis in Mice

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which a deficiency of vitamin B12 along with folic acid can contribute to its progression. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of these two vitamins in altering myelin base protein (MBP) in the MS model of rats and also to measure some ionic parameters in serum. Methods: Brain histology was followed by analysis of the relationship between vitamin B12 treatment or folic acid and MBP as well as changes in total protein concentration (TPC). MBP expression was assessed by SDS-PAGE and serum levels of iron. Copper and zinc were also assessed by Duncan test. Results: MBP expression in cortical extract was increased by simultaneous treatment with vitamin B12 and folic acid compared with the groups treated individually. Histological examinations showed that the highest level of tissue repair was in the same group. There was a significant difference between cortical TPC in the control and treatment of vitamin B12 and folic acid, but serum levels of Fe, Zn and Cu were not significantly different between the groups. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the combination of these vitamins increases the expression of MBP protein.