Inflammatory Cytokines and Physical Activity in Multiple Sclerosis

Table 2

Physical activity effects on functional, endocrine, and immunological parameters.

Authors	Physical activity (intensity, frequency, and duration)	Measured cytokines	Sample	Functional and endocrine parameters	Results
Castellano et al., 2011 [8]	30 minutes cycling; aerobic exercise; 3 times/week; for 8 weeks; 60% VO2max	IL-6; TNF-𝛼; IFN-𝛾	MS = EG; 𝑛=11; Healthy = CG; 𝑛=11; Medication without steroid	VO2max; heart rate; EDSS	IL-6: similar between EG and CG (𝑃>0,05). Increased significantly after exercise (𝑃=0,021); TNF-α: Tended to be higher in EG before exercise; Similar between groups with significant decreases after exercise (𝑃<0,05); IFN-𝛾: increased at rest for MS. Similar for both groups with significant decreases during and after exercise (𝑃<0,05); VO2max: significant increase in both groups (𝑃<0,05); EDSS: decrease of disability in MS (3,4–2,6)
Golzari et al., 2010 [2]	30 minutes; combined exercise (stretching, aerobic, and endurance exercise); 3 times/week; for 8 weeks	IL-4; IL-17; IFN-𝛾	MS; 𝑛=20; EG = 10; CG = 10; Medication without anti-inflammatory	VO2max; heart rate; EDSS	During rest the immunological values were similar; IL-4: without changes; IL-17: significant decrease in EG (𝑃<0,05); IFN-𝛾: without changes in CG and significant decrease in EG during the training (𝑃<0,05); VO2max: without changes; EDSS: significant improvement EG (𝑃=0,043)
Heesen et al., 2003 [14]	30 minutes cycling; aerobic exercise; twice/week; for 8 weeks; 75% VO2max	IL-10; TNF-𝛼; IFN-𝛾	MS = EG; 𝑛=15 with training; Healthy = CG; 𝑛=10; MS = CGE; 𝑛=13 without training; Medication without steroid and immunotherapy	VO2max; heart rate; EDSS; lactates; endocrines values	IL-10: low during the rest in EG and CGE (𝑃=0,043) increasing in CG e EG (𝑃=0,02); TNF-𝛼: without changes in CG and EG (𝑃=16) with decrease in CGE; IFN-𝛾: significant decrease in EG (𝑃=0,016) and CG (𝑃=0,01); No significant changes in GCE; VO2max: significant increase; ACTH was low in EG
Schulz et al., 2004 [12]	30 minutes cycling; aerobic exercise; twice/week; for 8 weeks; 75% VO2max	IL-6; sIL-6r	MS; 𝑛=28; EG = 15; CG = 13; Medication without steroid; Immunotherapy included	VO2max; heart rate; EDSS; lactates; endocrines value BDNF; NGF	IL-6: without changes before (𝑃=0,24) or after the activity (𝑃=0,21); sIL-6r: during the rest without changes (𝑃=0,22); EG Tended to increase during the exercise in EG (𝑃=0,08) without changes in CG; VO2max: significant increase in EG (𝑃<0,001); EDSS: increase in EG (𝑃<0,05); BDNF and NGF Tended to increase in EG and lower in CG (𝑃=0,18 e 0,12, resp.)
White et al., 2006 [22]	30 minutes cycling; endurance; twice/week; for 8 weeks; starting at 40% until 70% VO2max	IL-6; IL-10; TNF-𝛼; IFN-𝛾	MS; 𝑛=10; Medication without steroid and immunotherapy	VO2max; heart rate; CRP; EDSS; fatigue	IL-2 e IL-6: without changes (𝑃>0,05); IL-10: low concentration during rest (both with 𝑃=0,011); TNF-𝛼: Tended to be lower (𝑃=0,069); IFN-𝛾: at rest there was a lower concentration (𝑃=0,008)—after training; CRP: significant decrease (𝑃=0,007); EDSS: significant improvement in all individuals (𝑃<0,05)

EG: experimental group; CG: control group; CGE: MS patients without training; EDSS: expanded disability status scale; ACTH: adrenocorticotropic hormone; BDNF: neutrophils factor; NGF: growth factors; VO_2max: maximal oxygen consumption; TNF-𝛼: tumor necrosis factor-alpha; IFN-𝛾: interferon-gamma; CRP: C-reactive protein.