Maryam Shabanian; Mohammad Rami; Mehrzad Shabani; Aliakbar Alizadeh
Abstract
Background and Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system that affects sensory and motor functions. Since physical activity may have anti-inflammatory benefits for these patients, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect ...
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Background and Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system that affects sensory and motor functions. Since physical activity may have anti-inflammatory benefits for these patients, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of swimming physical activity on the content of AMPK and Sirt1 proteins and motor performance of MS model rats.Materials and methods: In this research, 20 rats with an average age of 12 weeks were randomly divided into 4 groups: healthy control group, healthy exercise group, MScontrol group and MSexercise group. In order to induce MS disease, rats in the patient groups were fed food containing cuprizone with a weight ratio of 0.5% for 6 weeks. The swimming training protocol was carried out for 6 weeks. After performing rotarod and open box behavioral tests, hippocampal tissue was extracted and protein levels were measured. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA test and then Tukey's post hoc test. Results: The results of the open field and the Rotarod tests showed that the performance of motor activity and balance in the MScontrol group was impaired compared to the healthy control group and was significantly improved following swimming activity(P <0.05). Also, the results of the AMPK and Sirt1 proteins in the MS control group were significantly reduced compared to the healthy control group(P <0.05), Also, the amounts of these proteins in the MSexercise group increased significantly compared to the MScontrol group(P <0.05).Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, it can be said that swimming activity, by regulating the content of AMPK and Sirt1 proteins, can improve the metabolism of neurons and regulate the metabolic processes of the central nervous system and as a non -pharmacological strategy to improve the symptoms of patients with MS is promising.
Fatemeh Derakhshani; Azam Zarneshan; Karim Azali Alamdari
Abstract
Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: There is evidence that components of the innate immune system, particularly the complement system, play a role in multiple sclerosis (MS) (1, 2). The complement system, a key element of innate immunity (1), consists of blood proteins involved in inflammation and host ...
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Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: There is evidence that components of the innate immune system, particularly the complement system, play a role in multiple sclerosis (MS) (1, 2). The complement system, a key element of innate immunity (1), consists of blood proteins involved in inflammation and host defense. C3 and C4 are potential diagnostic markers for autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). Their activation is central to the complement system and contributes to neurodegeneration in MS (4, 7). Studies have shown that plasma levels of C3 and C4 are elevated in MS patients compared to healthy controls (2). In addition to pharmacological treatments, lifestyle modifications, such as physical activity, can effectively modulate the complement system without adverse effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of combined physical C3 and C4, the C3/C4 ratio and motor function in women with multiple sclerosis.Materials and Methods: The present study employed a pretest-posttest design involving 30 patients aged 30 to 40 years who were diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) according to the McDonald 2010 criteria. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group (n=15) that participated in an exercise program and a control group (n=15) that went about their normal daily activities. The inclusion criteria required an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of less than five, as determined by a neurological examination by a physician (20). Participants had to be able to move independently and voluntarily consent to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria included inflammatory conditions such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular problems (including hypertension), kidney problems, asthma, potential neuropathic pain in the lower extremities, severe cognitive impairment, visual impairment, drug dependence (alcohol or smoking), comorbidities that could interfere with participation, recent MS relapses within the last eight weeks, pregnancy or regular exercise in the last six months (21). Blood samples and motor function assessments were taken 72 hours before and after the training protocol in a fasting state. C3 and C4 levels were measured using the turbidometry method. Motor function was assessed with the timed up and test (TUG) and the balance test (FTSST). The exercises protocol followed the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines for patients with MS (26). The program lasted 12 weeks, with sessions taking place three days a week and lasting approximately one hour each. It included: a) aerobic exercise at 40-60% of maximum heart rate (MHR), b) resistance exercises with a yellow band consisting of three sets of eight to fifteen repetitions, c) balance exercises in standing and dynamic positions, and d) seated stretching exercises with controlled breathing, based on methods from previous studies. The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance with the significance level of p<0.05.Findings: At baseline, an independent t-test showed that the initial characteristics of weight (experimental group: 65.41±11.70 kg; control group: 58.58±12.68 kg; p=0.72) and MS history (experimental group: 51.75±3.30 years; control group: 21.83±6.30 years; p=0.66) were similar in both groups. After 12 weeks of combined training, the experimental group showed a significant reduction in serum levels of complement C3 compared to the control group (p=0.01). However, there were no significant differences between the groups in complement C4 levels or the C3/C4 ratio (p>0.05). In addition, the experimental group showed significant improvements in motor performance, (fall risk and balance), as well as a significant reduction in walking times compared to the control group (p<0.05) (Table 1).Conclusion: The current evidence on the effects of exercise on complement components C3 and C4 in individuals with MS remains limited and somewhat conflicting. One review found that the C3 and C4 family proteins are the best studied. Complement proteins were found to be transiently activated immediately after acute exercise and remain elevated for up to 72 hours after strength training and ultra-endurance running. Conversely, prolonged exercise and higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels are associated with a decrease in C3 family proteins (32). The response of complement proteins depends on the type of exercise. Endurance exercise tends to decrease C3 and increase C4, while anaerobic (fast) exercise reduces C4(12). The observed decrease in C3 following combined training may be due to a reduction in inflammatory mediators that activate the complement cascade. Combined training (strength and endurance training) has been shown to improve motor function and reduce inflammation in women with MS (36). In contrast to acute exercise, exercise reduces inflammatory proteins that activate the complement system, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as cells such as monocytes that secrete these proteins (32). In this study, combined exercises were more effective in improving balance. Conversely, in studies that did not show significant improvements in balance, balance exercises alone were found to be insufficient (30). As for the effects of breathing exercises on the immune system, research in psychoneuroimmunology suggests that these exercises may alter immune markers and promote health by modulating the adrenocorticotropin-cortisol immune pathway (40). Overall, the combination of resistance, aerobic, balance, and breathing exercises appears to enhance both immunological and functional outcomes in individuals with MS. These findings support the recommendation of such multifaceted exercise programs as a beneficial non-pharmacological intervention for this population.Ethical considerations: Before starting the protocol, a consent form was signed by the subjects and an ethics ID number IR.AZARUNIV.REC.1402.014 was obtained.Conflict of interest: There are no conflicts of interest.
Masoud KhademPir; Sadegh Cheragh-Birjandi; Mostafa Teymuri Kheravi
Abstract
Background and Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system that affects the brain and spinal cord and cause disturbances in the conduction of nerve and electrical currents. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of combined training on the ...
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Background and Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system that affects the brain and spinal cord and cause disturbances in the conduction of nerve and electrical currents. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of combined training on the expression of neuregulin-1 gene, balance and body composition in patients with MS. Materials and Methods: Thirty women with MS mean age 47.7±4.79 year and weight 69.70±5.5 kg living in Mashhad city were randomly divided into two experimental (15 people) and control (15 people) groups. The experimental group performed combined exercises including resistance exercises with an intensity of 65 to 85% of a one maximum repetition and aerobic exercises with 60 to 70% of maximum heart rate for eight weeks, three days a week, and 45 minutes in each session while the control group did not participate in any sports program during this period. Blood samples were taken from the brachial vein before and 48 hours after exercise in a fasting state. Neuroglin-1 gene expression were determined using Real Time PCR method. Balance index was measured by BDI and TUG tests, and body composition also was measured using a body composition analyzer. Data were analyzed using independent t-test and paired t-test at the significant level of p≤0.05. Results: Combined training significantly increased neuregulin-1 gene expression (p=0.001), static balance (p=0.001), dynamic balance (p=0.001), lean body mass (p=0.001) and significantly decreased fat body mass (p=0.001) in MS people. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present research, combined exercises can improve the conditions of MS patients by increasing the influencing factors in the illness.
Vahid Taghizadeh; Elham Hakak Dokht; Mahdi Ghahremani Moghaddam
Abstract
Background and Aim: Studies have shown that pilates exercises play a role in the treatment and prevention of neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the possible mechanism for this effect is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of pilates ...
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Background and Aim: Studies have shown that pilates exercises play a role in the treatment and prevention of neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the possible mechanism for this effect is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of pilates training on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and dynamic balance of men with MS. Materials and Methods: This study was a semi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test design. Twenty-two men with mean age of 34.9 ±3.7 years, mean expanded disability status scale (EDSS) of 3.6 ±1.07 and mean body mass index (BMI) of 24.07 ±4.3 kg/m2 were selected and randomly assigned into pilates exercise training (n=12) and control (n=10) groups. The experimental group performed three sessions per week of pilates exercise training for 8 weeks. The timed up and go balance test (TUG) was used to evaluate the patients’ balance, moreover, the sandwich ELISA method was applied to measure serum BDNF levels. For statistical analysis, the t-test was used to compare the intra-group changes and the ANCOVA method to compare between the groups changes at the significant level of p < 0.05. Results: intra-group changes showed that serum BDNF levels in pilates group increased significantly (p=0.03) and duration of TUG test also decreased significantly (p=0.02); neither of these two variables displayed a significant change in the control group (p>0.05). There was a significant difference between two groups after 8 weeks of training in the serum level of BDNF (p=0.04) as well as the balance test (p=0.01). Conclusions: Pilates exercises can be considered as important part of rehabilitation programs for patients with MS because of the increase in BDNF and the improvement of balance in the intervention group.
Dariush Sheikholeslami-Vatani; Golaleh Ghaderi Almaneh
Abstract
Background and Aims: Some studies have shown the effectiveness of exercise training on the side effects of MS patinas. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of progressive resistance training on balance, body fat percentage, muscle strength and endurance in men and women with MS disease. ...
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Background and Aims: Some studies have shown the effectiveness of exercise training on the side effects of MS patinas. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of progressive resistance training on balance, body fat percentage, muscle strength and endurance in men and women with MS disease. Materials and Methods: 18 MS patients with (mean of age: 29.4±7.9 years, weight: 69.7±14.4 kg) were selected by targeted sampling and then randomly assigned into two groups as experimental (n=10) and control (n=8). The experimental group performed resistance exercise for 12 weeks, three sessions per week, each session for 70 minutes with 50 - 80% of 1RM, while, the control group did not perform any regular exercise during course of the study. The stork test was used to evaluate the static balance. For measuring body fat percentage, muscle strength and muscular endurance, the Yuhasz test, one repetition maximum test and dynamic muscular endurance test were used, respectively. For statistical analysis, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measure and Bonferroni post hoc test at level of 0.05 were used. Results: The results showed that after 12 weeks of resistance training, there were significant increase in muscle strength (p=0.0001), balance (p=0.002), muscular endurance (p=0.0001) in experimental group, while, body fat percentage significantly decreased (P=0.02). Moreover, there was also a significant difference between the two for 1RM after post test measurements based on experimental group. Conclusion: The finding of present study indicated that 12 weeks of moderate-intensity resistance training can improve the physical fitness indices of multiple sclerosis patients and provide a suitable prescription for improving the physical fitness of these patients.
