Background & Objectives:Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system. The disease occurs with higher frequency among families. This study aimed to investigate the frequency and type of familial MS among patients with definite MS registered in the Isfahan Society for MS. Methods: A cross sectional study was performed on 3911 MS patients in Isfahan. All patients had a diagnosis of definite MS. Demographic characteristics, medical history, signs and symptoms at onset, course of disease, having a relative with MS, degree and type of relationship were recorded. Results: Familial MS was found in 11% of patients, with 57. 7% having a first degree relative with MS. Mean age of patients with familial MS was 36.9±10.4 years, with higher rates among women (female to male ratio 2.6). Highest rate for familial MS was observed in sister-sister relations, and brother-sister relation. Lowest rate was observed in father-son relation. Conclusions: Familial MS is more common among sisters while father-son relationship has the lowest association. Female to male ratio is 2.6 in familial MS which shows higher rates of males relative to general population.

Background & Objective: Resistance training is deemed to be beneficial for multiple sclerosis patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether a program of RT and whole body vibration has any effect on the pattern of hormonal changes in female MS patients. Methods: Twenty-four female MS patients were enrolled in this study. They were aged between 20-40 years and ranged from 2-4 on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Twelve patients took part in this protocole. The duration of the program was eight weeks, each sessions were held three times per week. The twelve controls did not take part in this program. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing-hormone, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, prolactin and cortisol were measured before and after the protocole between the 8th and 10th day of the follicular phase of the patients’ menstrual cycle. Descriptive statistics and co-variance analysis were adapted for evaluating the data. Results: Significant increases in levels of testosterone and prolaction, whereas a significant decrease in levels of cortisol were detected. Conclusion: The results provide clues as to the involvement of testosterone, prolactin and cortisol as possible mediators of the beneficial effects of resistance training and whole body vibration in multiple sclerosis.

Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neuroinflammatory disease, characterizes by demyelination in the central nervous system (CNS). Co-stimulatory molecules such as CD137 (4-1 BB) play a major role in the activation of lymphocytes in CNS. The exact immunopathogenesis of MS is unknown. Hence, detection of specific biomarkers in the process of MS disease can lead to new therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to compare plasma sCD137 levels in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients with healthy controls in Isfahan province. Methods: Plasma sCD137 level was measured by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assays (ELISA) in 36 RRMS patients as well as 52 (age and sex-matched) healthy controls and the results were compared. Results: The plasma sCD137 level in studied RRMS patients was significantly higher in the patient group compared to the healthy controls (P- value=0.027). In addition, there was no significant association between age, sex, job and education level, with plasma sCD137 level in both the control and the case groups (P value>0.05). There was no correlation between mean of sCD137 and EDSS score, age of onset, duration of disease as well as serum 25 (OH) D concentrations of the patients. Conclusion: High plasma sCD137 level was detected in RRMS patients when compared with the controls, which may indicate the possible role of this biomarker in the immunopathogenesis of MS. Since CD137 can affect T lymphocytes activation and apoptosis, further studies are needed to elucidate its exact role in the pathogenesis of MS.