Effect of Regular Physical Activity on BDNF and IL-17 Factors in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Meta-analysis Study

This study aims to meta-analyze the studies on the effects of regular physical activity on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

In this study, a search was conducted for the related articles in Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Web of Science, SID, MagIran, and IranDoc databases. Articles published until April 2021 were searched using the keywords multiple sclerosis, MS, exercise, physical activity, inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors, and cytokines. For accuracy in selecting and evaluating the methodological quality of the studies, the physiotherapy evidence database (PEDro) scale was used. Comprehensive meta-analysis software was used for meta-analysis.

Of 408 found articles, 9 were finally selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria (six studies for BDNF and three studies for IL-17) for the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis results showed that regular physical activity did not increase the difference between the control and experimental groups in the levels of BDNF and IL-17. These exercises could not cause significant changes in people with MS.

Although regular physical activity alone cannot affect cytokine levels in MS patients, it can be used as a complementary treatment along drug therapy in these patients, because it not only does not increase the inflammation or severity of the disease, but also can help these patients reduce the risk of secondary disorders.