The Comparative Analysis of Serum Levels of Midkine in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Control Group

Midkine (MK) is a heparin-binding growth factor with various effects in induction of neurodegenerative diseases and promotes inflammatory responses by enhancing the migration of inflammatory leukocytes. This study aimed to determine the relationship of Midkine protein and clinical course of multiple sclerosis (MS). In 32 patients with MS and 32 Age- and sex-matched healthy people، the serum level of Midkine and other cytokines (IL10، IL17، IL23 and TGF-β) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method and compared. Midkine level in patients with MS was significantly lower than healthy control. In addition، there were significant differences between IL10، IL23 and TGF-β levels in patients with MS and the healthy people. It seems that the significant lower level of Midkine in patients with MS is because of IFN-β treatment for them during this research.