**Author details**

control group receiving olive oil. These increases were associated with a concomitant decrease in AA. Consequently, the omega‐3 fatty acid index in the fish oil group increased significantly,

No differences in glutathione reductase activity and content of reduced glutathione, oxidized glutathione, and oxidized/reduced glutathione ratio were seen after 12 months of supplemen‐ tation with omega‐3 PUFAs. However, a trend in favor of omega‐3 PUFAs supplementation was observed in GSSG levels and glutathione reductase activity at 12 months of intervention

A steady decrease in mitochondrial ATPase activity in platelets was observed in the groups given omega‐3 fatty acid and the control group receiving olive oil. Membrane fluidity of platelets was significantly reduced in MS patients. Interestingly, a significant increase in platelet membrane fluidity was observed in the groups receiving omega‐3 fatty acid and the control group receiving olive oil. As well, the fluidity of erythrocyte membranes was un‐

Epidemiological and experimental studies suggest an increased incidence of MS in popula‐ tions with a high intake of saturated fats mainly from animal sources. Therefore, by consuming a diet high in fatty acids, without an appropriate number of unsaturates, a shift is produced in the integrity and functionality of the membrane [29]. An optimal balance in the consumption of fatty acids includes 35% polyunsaturated fatty acids and 65% saturated fatty acids, and the appropriate proportion of PUFA to maintain membrane balance is 50% omega‐3 with 50% omega‐6. The above ratio was a factor that inactivated the CD4 autoreactive cells in the CNS, a phenomenon that prevents the production of proinflammatory cytokines and free radicals

Membrane fluidity depends on the temperature, the ratio of saturated/PUFA fatty acids, the presence of "lipid rafts," and the proportion of cholesterol present at the membrane [31]. Previous studies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis had increased cell membrane rigidity compared to membranes from those receiving immunomodulatory treatment. Our results showed diminished platelet membrane fluidity in MS patients and that proper membrane fluidity is restored with treatment of omega3 PUFAs. The increase in platelet membrane fluidity is directly related to the incorporation of PUFA's. Furthermore, the increase in membrane fluidity is accompanied with a significant decrease in mitochondrial ATPase activity. This ensures that the activity of ATP synthesis in mitochondria remains elevated.

The inflammatory process seen in MS is due to an excess production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, which leads to increased secretion of ROS. Oxidative stress plays a preponderant, key role in the pathogenesis of MS. Reactive oxygen species generated by macrophages have been implicated as mediators of demyelination and axonal damage in EAE and MS. The main findings of a clinical trial conducted with relapsing‐remitting MS patients who received a diet

supplemented with 4 g/day of fish oil or olive oil are the following:

and the ratios of n‐6/n‐3 and AA/EPA were decreased [28].

changed for both treatments (Unpublished results).

between the study groups [28].

162 Trending Topics in Multiple Sclerosis

[30].

**8. Conclusions**

Genaro G. Ortiz1\*, Fermín P. Pacheco‐Moisés<sup>2</sup> , Erandis D. Torres‐Sánchez<sup>1</sup> , Tanya E. Sorto‐Gómez<sup>1</sup> , Mario Mireles‐Ramírez3 , Alfredo León‐Gil3 , Héctor González‐Usigli3 , Luis J. Flores‐Alvarado<sup>4</sup> , Erika D. González‐Renovato<sup>1</sup> , Angelica L. Sánchez‐López<sup>1</sup> , Margarita Cid‐Hernández<sup>2</sup> and Irma E. Velázquez‐Brizuela<sup>5</sup>

\*Address all correspondence to: genarogabriel@yahoo.com

1 Laboratory of Mitochondria‐Oxidative Stress and Pathology, Neurosciences Division, Occidental Biomedical Research Center, The Mexican Social Security Institute, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México

2 Department of Chemistry, Centre of Exact Sciences and Engineering, University of Guada‐ lajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México

3 Department of Neurology, Sub‐specialty Medical Unit, National Occidental Medical Cen‐ ter, The Mexican Social Security Institute, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México

4 Department of Biochemistry, Health Sciences Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadala‐ jara, Jalisco, México

5 Health Sciences Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México

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