Boosting endogenous neuroprotection in multiple sclerosis: the ASsociation of
Inosine and Interferon beta in relapsing- remitting Multiple Sclerosis (ASIIMS)
trial.
Author(s): Gonsette RE, Sindic C, D'hooghe MB, De Deyn PP, Medaer R, Michotte A, Seeldrayers
P, Guillaume D; ASIIMS study group.
Collaborators: Gonsette RE, Sindic C, Goffette S, van Pesch V, Duprez T, Demaerel
P, D'hooghe MB, Nagels G, Descamps M, Van Remoortel A, Deville MC, van Nunen A,
Medaer R, Vanroose E, Bogaerts A, Michotte A, Bissay V, De Boeck M, De Deyn P,
Sheorajpanday R, Braxel E, Seeldrayers P, Jacquy J, Piette T, De Cock C,
Guillaume D, Reznik R, Metz R, Maertens de Noordhout A, Delvaux V, Dupuis M, Cras
P, Willekens B, Timperman H, Decoo D, De Sutter M, Van Zandijcke M, Dehaene I,
Verhoeven K, Deryck O, Casselman J, Criel A, Schotte V, Verhaeghe R, Dusautoir C,
Hermoye L, Maes F.
Affiliation(s): National Centre for Multiple Sclerosis, Vanheylenstraat 16, Melsbroek, Belgium.
r.gonsette@skynet.be
Publication date & source: 2010, Mult Scler. , 16(4):455-62
Anti-inflammatory drugs are effective on relapses, but neuroprotective agents to
prevent disability are still unavailable. Uric acid has neuroprotective effects
in experimental models including encephalomyelitis and appears to be involved in
multiple sclerosis. Oral administration of inosine, a precursor of uric acid,
increases serum uric acid levels and is well tolerated. Our objective was to test
the possibility that a combination therapy associating an anti-inflammatory drug
(interferon beta) and an endogenous neuroprotective molecule (uric acid) would be
more effective than interferon beta alone on the accumulation of disability.
Patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis on interferon beta for at
least 6 months were randomized to interferon beta + inosine or interferon beta +
placebo for 2 years. The dose of inosine was adjusted to maintain serum uric acid
levels in the range of asymptomatic hyperuricaemia (
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