The Potential Benefit of Using Ivermectin to Treat Multiple Sclerosis

ByShaun Snapp

Executive Summary

  • Ivermectin is one of the best drugs for improving the immune system and immunomodulation.
  • Multiple sclerosis is the result of an overly aggressive immune system.

Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that benefits from immunomodulators. These reduce the immune system’s overly aggressive attack on healthy cells.

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Study on Ivermectin Versus Multiple Sclerosis

This quote is from the article Ivermectin Protects Against Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Mice by Modulating the Th17/Treg Balance Involved in the IL-2/STAT5 Pathway.

A Bit About MS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that leads to demyelination, axon destruction, and oligodendrocyte degeneration. Currently, MS is considered to be caused by shifts in the ratio of various CD4+ T helper (Th) cell subsets, including an increase in pro-inflammatory Th1 and Th17 cells and a decrease in anti-inflammatory Treg and Th2 cells.

This quote is technical, so I will provide a synopsis below each area.

Important Point #1: The Problem With Current Conventional Treatments

However, drugs or antibodies with immunomodulatory effect have severe adverse effects, including immunosuppression, on patients with MS. Therefore, the development of new therapies that are both effective and selectively immunosuppressive is a major challenge for the treatment of MS.

Important Point #2: Few Studies on Ivermectin Versus MS

Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug, has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and antiviral properties. However, to date, there are no in-depth studies on the effect of ivermectin on the function effector of T cells in murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS.

Regrettably, only a few research studies have concentrated on the impact of ivermectin on T-cell-mediated autoimmune illnesses, which include MS, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Sjogren’s syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, and psoriasis. While case reports have displayed the protective effect of ivermectin on systemic lupus erythematosus [41–43] and psoriasis [44], there is still insufficient evidence to demonstrate its effectiveness on rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and Sjogren’s syndrome.

This points out that even when this article was written in 2023, there were very few studies on MS, and in this case, a specific effect on T cells. In MS, these T cells are overactive.

Important Point #3: Reduction in Immunological Cells

Here, we conducted in vitro experiments and found that ivermectin inhibited the proliferation of total T cells (CD3+) and their subsets (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells) as well as T cells secreting the pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL-17A; ivermectin also increased IL-2 production and IL-2Rα (CD25) expression, which was accompanied by an increase in the frequency of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg). Finally, we discovered that this effect could be mediated possibly through an increase in the phosphorylation of STAT5, the IL-2/IL2R transducer. Taken together, these results suggest that ivermectin has a broad suppressive effect on T cell-mediated immune function, including alteration of CD4+ T cell subsets.

This explains why Ivermectin decreased the production of too many immunological cells and cytokines. As Ivermectin has been found effective as an immunomodulator in so many other studies, this should not be surprising.

Importantly, ivermectin administration reduced the clinical symptoms of EAE mice by preventing the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the CNS. Additional mechanisms showed that ivermectin promoted Treg cells while inhibiting pro-inflammatory Th1 and Th17 cells and their IFN-γ and IL-17 secretion; ivermectin also upregulated IL-2 production from MOG35–55-stimulated peripheral lymphocytes. Finally, ivermectin decreased IFN-γ and IL-17A production and increased IL-2 level, CD25 expression, and STAT5 phosphorylation in the CNS. These results reveal a previously unknown etiopathophysiological mechanism by which ivermectin attenuates the pathogenesis of EAE, indicating that it may be a promising option for T-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases such as MS.

These are further reductions in inflammatory cells.

Working With an MD on Ivermectin for MS?

The following quote from the article Ivermectin for MS: A Comprehensive Guide is amusing.

While Ivermectin shows promise as a potential treatment for MS, its effectiveness and optimal dosage are still being studied. Currently, there is no standardized dosage for Ivermectin in MS treatment.

It’s crucial to work closely with a healthcare professional who can monitor your condition and adjust the dosage accordingly.

Does this author not know that MDs are specifically warned not to work with patients with Ivermectin?

Conclusion

The current conventional treatments for MS are very bad. Few studies have been done on Ivermectin for MS. However, one study already shows that it similarly works against MS and other autoimmune diseases. Given the high side effects and poor outcomes of conventional MS treatments, it seems that Ivermectin, given its high safety level and a strong history of immunomodulation, would be a logical drug for MS patients to take advantage of.

We

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