Cholesterol’s role in worsening MS

Researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, working with colleagues at the University of Cambridge, have discovered that increased cholesterol production in the body could be harmful to brain cells in people living with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Their findings suggest that higher cholesterol levels may contribute to the worsening of the condition by damaging the nervous system.

The study highlights a process called cellular senescence, which occurs in certain brain cells and can make it more difficult for the brain to repair itself. This process may worsen the damage seen in progressive MS. The researchers discovered that in cells taken from people with MS, there’s an issue with how these cells manage energy, which leads to an overproduction of cholesterol. This excess cholesterol creates harmful substances that damage nerve cells. The research team also found that simvastatin, a commonly used cholesterol-lowering medication, can help reduce this harmful effect and create a healthier environment for brain cells.

The team notes that this work reinforces the link between cellular aging (senescence) and energy management issues within cells (dysmetabolism). The results show how crucial cholesterol and fat management is to proper cell communication and function.

“Our study identifies cholesterol-associated secretions as key contributors to nerve cell damage in progressive MS. Excitingly, we demonstrate that these internal cell dysfunctions can be treated with medication, offering new possibilities for targeted treatments in previously overlooked brain cell types, such as neural stem and progenitor cells,” said Professor Stefano Pluchino, MD, PhD, from the University of Cambridge, the lead and co-senior author of the study.

The researchers hope this discovery will lead to new treatments aimed at improving how the body processes cholesterol, reducing nerve damage and slowing the progression of MS.