Acute responses of cytokines and adipokines to aerobic exercise in relapsing vs. remitting women with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the acute effect of exercise on cytokines and adipokines during relapse and the remitting phase of multiple sclerosis (MS).

METHODS: Thirty women with MS in the relapsing or remitting phase were matched with fifteen healthy controls. Participants performed a single-bout of aerobic exercise at 60-70% maximal heart rate. Furthermore, five women in the relapsing phase were enrolled (control relapse) and did not receive any intervention. Blood samples were taken before, immediately after, 1-h and 6-h after the exercise.

RESULTS: Levels of IL-10 and TNF-α in response to exercise were similar in healthy and MS remitting subjects. Compared to baseline, TNF-α levels in relapsing subjects were significantly decreased immediately after exercise. Immediately following exercise, leptin levels significantly decreased in relapsing subjects. Adiponectin and IL-6 showed no significant difference between groups.

CONCLUSION: After relapse, exercise does not induce inflammatory cytokine response and temporarily improves both cytokine and adipokine balance.