Sugar defects may cause MS nerve damage

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 24 (UPI) -- A U.S. study suggested defects on cell-surface sugars may promote the short-term inflammation and long-term neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis patients.

The study by University of California-Irvine researchers also suggests a dietary supplement similar to glucosamine might be useful as an oral therapy to correct such defects and treat the short- and long-term symptoms of the disease.

"The findings raise the possibility that these may both be treated by metabolic therapy," said Dr. Michael Demetriou, an assistant professor of neurology, microbiology and molecular genetics. "This is particularly important, as therapies are not currently available to treat neurodegeneration in MS."

In tests on mice, Demetriou found genetic deficiencies in a process called protein glycosylation led to a spontaneous disease very similar to MS, including paralysis associated with inflammatory damage to the protective myelin coating on nerve cells and degeneration of axons and neurons. Protein glycosylation refers to the addition of specific sugars to proteins; virtually all cell-surface and secreted proteins have complex sugars attached to them.

The findings are detailed in the online version of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.