Cerebral Biochemical Pathways in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis & Effects of Adjuvants: A Metabolomic NMR Spectroscopy Study

Norbert W. Lutz¹, Carla Fernandez², Jean-Franois Plissier², Patrick J. Cozzone¹, Evelyne Braud²

This metabolomic study contributes to our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the induction of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE), the animal model of Multiple Sclerosis. Effects of EAE-inducing agents, Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) and Spinal-Cord Homogenate (SC-H), were determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy of rat brain extracts. In both CFA and CFA/SC-H-treated groups the phospholipid content, in particular ethanolamine-containing phospholipids, and glycolysis were increased. Among the osmolytes studied, NAA and taurine were decreased, but not the astrocyte marker, myo-inositol. Histological results suggest the possibility of neuron shrinkage and mild gliosis underlying these metabolic changes, but stress effects are also to be considered.