Background:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system associated with increased oxidative stress (OS) and mitochondrial alterations. Fish oil consumption has neuroprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in patients with relapsing-recurrent MS (RR-MS).

Objective:

To evaluate changes in the hydrolytic activity of ATP synthase and mitochondrial membrane fluidity in patients with RR-MS who receive fish oil or olive oil as a dietary supplement.

Methods:

Clinical, controlled, randomized, double-blind trial. Patients consumed fish oil or olive oil for one year. The hydrolytic activity of ATPase and the fluidity of the mitochondrial membrane of platelets were quantified.

Results:

In patients with RR-MS, a decrease in the fluidity of mitochondrial membranes and an increase in the hydrolytic activity of ATP synthase was observed in comparison with healthy controls. After 6 or 9 months of treatment with fish oil or olive oil, respectively, these values were normalized.

Conclusion:

The consumption of fish oil and olive oil increases the fluidity of the mitochondrial membranes and decreases the catabolic activity of ATP synthase in platelets from patients with RR-MS.

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