Down-regulation of CYP27B1 gene expression in Iranian patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) as a complex neurological disease can be due to vitamin D deficiency. CYP27B1 is referred to as a vitamin D metabolizing enzyme.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study compared the expression level of CYP27B1 in Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS) patients with normal individuals in Iran. The RNA was extracted from 50 RRMS patients and 50 normal controls. Quantitative RT-PCR was adopted to measure the expression level of CYP27B1 gene.

RESULTS: The expression level of CYP27B1gene was significantly lower in the RRMS patients than their normal counterparts (P value = 0.04). Also, the RRMS females participating had a significant reduction in CYP27B1 gene expression compared to normal females (P-Value = 0.01). In addition, the correlation between CYP27B1 expression level, and the risk of Expanded Disability Status Scale of Kurtzke (EDSS) was not linear. Additionally, there was no significant correlation between expression status of CYP27B1gene and duration of the disease.

CONCLUSION: A significant decrease in the expression level of CYP27A1 in female patients could indicate their greater vulnerability to MS than the male patients.