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-hour and 6-hours 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.