The effect of 12-weeks resistance and endurance training on the serum levels NGF, BDNF, and VDBP in women with multiple sclerosis

Recent studies suggest that patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have low levels of neurotrophic factors such as nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurothrophic factor(BDNF) and the vitamin D-binding protein(VDBP). Moreover, the results of recent studies show that exercise training may have potential effects on these factors in people with MS. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of 12-week resistance and endurance training program on the serum levels of neurotrophic factors in women with MS. A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in 24 volunteer MS patients (Expanded Disability Status Scale range of 1-5). The resting serum levels of BDNF, NGF, VDBP, body composition variables, and disability scale values were determined before and after the intervention. The intervention consisted of three sessions of combined training a week for 12 weeks (two sessions of aerobic and one session of resistance training, progressively). The results showed a significant decrease in the percentage of body fat (p=0.003), and disability scale value (p=0.007) in the experimental group. However no significant changes were observed in other variables. The results obtained in the present study indicated that although the resistance and endurance training for three non-consecutive days per week for 12 weeks has no significant effect on neurotrophics and VDBP, it triggered positive effects on the percentage of fat in the body, and the disability scale of women with MS. So, such a training seems a useful physical practice for people with MS.