Cerebrospinal fluid levels of nitric oxide metabolites predict response to methylprednisolone treatment in multiple sclerosis and optic neuritis.

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in multiple sclerosis (MS) is not clear. We found increased cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of the NO degradation products nitrate (NO(x)) in clinically definite MS but not in clinically isolated syndromes. High CSF concentrations of NO(x) correlated with long attack duration. Patients carrying the truncated CC chemokine receptor allele CCR5 Delta32 had lower serum concentration of NO(x) at later attack stages. NO(x) concentrations did not change after methylprednisolone treatment but high concentrations were associated with more pronounced treatment responses. These findings suggest an association of high CSF levels of NO(x) with more severe disease activity in relapsing-remitting MS.