VEGF and TNF- #x3B1; Responses to Acute and Chronic Aerobic Exercise in the Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Aerobic exercise has been shown to decrease the functional disorders related to multiple sclerosis (MS). Nevertheless, the effect of aerobic exercise training on the cytokines and neuroprotective mediators associated with the disease activity has remained relatively unknown.Objectives: The present research was conducted to evaluate the responses of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumor necrosis factoralpha (TNFα) to singlebout and sixweek aerobic exercise training in the patients with MS. Methods: Totally, 20 subjects ((n = 10) patients with MS and (n = 10) controls) who were matched in terms of gender, weight, body mass, and age were included in the study. Participants received aerobic exercise training at approximately 60% of VO sub 2max /sub in 30min sessions 3 times a week for six weeks. Serum concentrations of the VEGF and TNFα were analyzed pre and postexercise training (in the first session and after 18 sessions of the study). Results: Serum concentration of the TNFα decreased significantly after a single bout and 6week aerobic exercise training (P = 0.002 and P = 0.005) in the intervention group. Serum concentration of the VEGF increased significantly only after exercise in the first and 18th sessions in the intervention group (P = 0.017 and P = 0.022).Conclusions: Our results revealed that exercise may influence the VEGF regulation in patients with MS. Although, further research is needed to determine the effect of exercise on the immune variables in patients with MS.