The Effect of Combined Exercise Training on TNF-α and TGF-β1 Levels in Women with Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory and chronic central nervous system with unknown etiology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of combined exercise training on the serum levels of TNF-α and TGF-β1 in women with MS, considering the positive effects of exercise in these patients and the lack of information on combined exercises.

Twenty 20-50 years old women participated and were divided into 2 comparable groups of control (n=10) and experimental (n=10) based on their multiple sclerosis and the disability grade of 2-5 (EDSS). Afterwards, the subjects participated in the training programs for twelve weeks, 3 sessions/week.

Data were analyzed using dependent and independent T-tests (α=0.05). The results revealed no difference on body weight and fat percentage. Although, exercise training significantly decreased the disability grade (P=0/002). Furthermore, exercise training did not illustrate any change in the biochemical factors such as TNF-α (P= 0/34) and TGF-β1 (P= 0/46) serum.

Comparison between the control and experimental groups revealed that the combine training would be a good option to enhance disability grade in multiple sclerosis patients. However, it revealed no effect on the inflammatory and biochemical indicators associated with this disease.