# Is Obesity a Modifiable Risk Factor in Multiple Sclerosis? Mechanistic Insights into Neuroinflammation and Oxidative Damage

## TL;DR

This paper explores how obesity might influence multiple sclerosis through shared mechanisms of inflammation and oxidative stress, suggesting obesity could be a modifiable risk factor.

## Contribution

The paper provides mechanistic insights into how obesity and multiple sclerosis are linked through neuroinflammation and oxidative damage.

## Key findings

- Obesity contributes to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, which may worsen multiple sclerosis.
- Adipose tissue releases cytokines and adipokines that influence both obesity and MS pathology.
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds may help treat both obesity and MS by targeting shared mechanisms.

## Abstract

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) that leads to demyelination of CNS neurons and is influenced by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, including diet and obesity. Methods: This review aims to analyze at the molecular level the relationship between obesity, as a chronic inflammatory condition, and the pathophysiology of MS, as a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease, in order to understand the complex links between obesity and MS through a search of the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Discussion: Chronic inflammation and OS are interconnected processes, causing a toxic state, which contributes to the development of CNS neuroinflammation and neuronal damage, resulting in neuronal demyelination and the onset of MS. Adipose tissue is a complex endocrine organ; in addition to being a lipid storage organ, it secretes cytokines and adipokines, which are involved in the regulation of hormones, metabolism, inflammation, and whole-body homeostasis. Obesity triggers chronic low-grade inflammation, disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and brain metabolism, infiltration of the CNS by immune cells, production of ROS, and generation of oxidative stress (OS). Anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory adipokines are also implicated in MS and obesity. Conclusions: Obesity affects MS through common underlying mechanisms and seems to be a modifiable risk factor. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds with multi-functional characteristics could be additional tools to slow the progression of MS and its promotion through obesity while also offering potential treatment options for both conditions via their multi-targeting characteristics.