Cytokine Levels After Eight Weeks of Progressive Resistance Training in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Abstract

1057 Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines. Recently, exercise training has been found to modulate the concentration of circulating inflammatory markers. PURPOSE: To determine whether eight weeks of progressive resistance training would alter resting cytokine levels in MS individuals. METHODS: Six ambulatory MS patients (age = 46 ± 11 yrs) volunteered for twice weekly training sessions. The resistance training exercises included knee flexion, knee extension and plantar flexion. The resistance was increased by 2–5% when the subjects were able to complete 15 repetitions in consecutive sessions. Blood was obtained by venipuncture in fasting subjects before and after the 8-week experimental period. Blood samples were stored at −80°C until analysis. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were analyzed with ELISA kits. RESULTS: Resting pro-inflammatory cytokine levels of interleukin (IL)-2 decreased 4% after training, but it was not statistically significant (4.72 ± 1.2 pg/ml vs. 4.5 ± 1.2 pg/ml, p>0.05); tumor necrosis factor-alpha decreased 10% (5.16 ± 1.32 pg/ml vs. 4.16 ± 1.32 pg/ml, p>0.05) and interferon-gamma decreased 20% (77.8 ± 30.4 pg/ml vs. 42.6 ± 17.2 pg/ml, p = 0.12), but they were not significantly different from baseline. Resting anti-inflammatory levels of IL-4 and IL-10 decreased after training (31% and 17%, respectively), but were not statistically significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Eight weeks of resistance training may influence resting levels of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in individuals with MS. The impact of exercise-induced cytokine changes on MS disease progression remains unclear and warrants further investigation. Supported by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society