Hormones Can Heal Multiple Sclerosis

Scientists discovered that pregnancy alleviates symptoms of multiple sclerosis

 Scientists from Calgary University carried out a research on mice and discovered that hormone prolactyn induces production of myelin, the substance which isolates neurone cells in brain and spinal cord. It is presumed that multiple sclerosis the immune system changes myelin causing the loss of the sense of sight and inability to move.

In the research it was found that pregnant mice have many more cells that produce myelin, that is oligodendrocyte, compared to non-pregnant mice. In the experiment, the researcher destroyed myelin, simulating the process that happens in multiple sclerosis. Two weeks later, pregnant mice had twice as much myelin in comparison to others. When prolactyn is injected in mice, the same effect of restoration of myelin is achieved.

- The discovery that pregnant women have fewer symptoms of multiple sclerosis, that is, that prolactyn is the factor that causes the renewal of myelin, opens new possibilities to us – Dr Samel Weiss said, head of research said for Journal of Neuroscience.