Serum lipid studies in multiple sclerosis.

The lipid pattern of blood serum has been studied in 32 patients with multiple sclerosis, in whom the disease was either remittent or slowly progressive. Although total lipids, free and esterified cholesterol, aand 0-lipoproteins and chylomicrons were found to be normal in patients, minimal and maximal values showed wider ranges than in controls. Cholesterol esters were slightly reduced (71,6 ± 31,7 mg/100 m/) in patients with clinical exacerbation as compared to patients with "inactive" disease or healthy controls (160,4 ± 58,1 mg/100 m/). Treatment with corticotrophin and hydrocortisone derivatives did not alter significantly any of the studied lipid constituents of the serum.