Effect of Regular Aerobic Exercise on Serum Levels of IL-4 and IgE in Overweight and Obese Asthmatic Women

IL-4 plays a key role in the pathogenesis of asthma and the increased serum level of that is positively correlated with asthma severity and obesity. IL-4 induces IgE secretion by B cells. Previous studies suggesting an anti-inflammatory effect of exercise training on asthmatic lungs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training on serum levels of IL-4 and IgE in overweight and obese asthmatic women.
21 overweight and obese asthmatic women were selected and divided into two groups including experimental (n=12) and control (n=9) groups. The experimental group performed aerobic exercise training, three times a week, 60 minutes each session. Fasting blood samples were collected before and 2 days after completion of the course. The data were analyzed by using SPSS22 software
A significant decrease in serum IL-4 (p = 0.015, t = - 2.68), BMI (p = 0.014, t = - 2.72) and weight (p = 0.001, t = -3.99) was shown following the 12 weeks of training in the experimental group compared to the control group. There were no significant correlations between the obesity changes and the Inflammatory Marker Changes (p>0.05).
The present study indicates that aerobic exercise training reduced the serum levels of IL-4 independent of obesity changes in overweight and obese asthmatic women.