PHOSPHORUS METABOLISM IN DISSEMINATED SCLEROSIS

Abstract

While normal controls are unable to balance P intake and output with about 900 mg. of P daily and show a negative balance of about 25% of the intake, patients with disseminated sclerosis show a slightly positive balance with an intake of 700 mg. Normal adults can balance P intake and output with a daily amt. of about 2000 mg. Disseminated sclerosis patients given the same amt. show a highly positive balance with a retention of about 25% of the P taken in their diet. The following possible reasons for these findings are discussed: a) elimination of large amts. of phospholipids of both gray and white matter of the central nervous system from active metabolism; b) retention of P in other tissues; c) disturbance of the phospholipid metabolism at one or more intermediary stages; or d) lack of demand due to reduced muscular activity. The authors recommend that the diet of patients with disseminated sclerosis should be low in P content to conform with the results of these expts.