Fig 4. Association of the CNS-derived OHCs with disability and inflammation at acute attack of NMO.
The OHCCSF index was calculated to control the effects of the disruption in the BBB on the levels of these OHCs in the CSF. The associations of the OHCCSF index with the disability (A–C) and number of inflammatory cells in the CNS (D–E) were assessed. The 27-OHCCSF index was significantly associated with disability at acute attacks of NMO (C), moreover the 24-OHCCSF index (D) and 25-OHCCSF index (E) were associated with the number of the inflammatory cells in the CNS. EDSS = extended disability scale score; n.s. = not significant; OHC = hydroxycholesterol,; WBCCSF = number of white blood cells in the CSF.