Home-based aerobic training and vitamin D improve neurotrophins and inflammatory biomarkers in MS patients

Lifestyle modifications (physical activity and diet) are among the most promising strategies in multiple sclerosis (MS) rehabilitation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of combined home-based AT and Vit D on the neurotrophins level and biomarker of inflammation in MS patients during COVID-19 outbreak.In this randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, 38 females with MS having EDSS: 3-5 (aged 20-40 years with body mass index [BMI] of 25-30 kg/m2) were randomly assigned into four groups: AT+Vit D (n = 10), AT (n = 9), Vit D (n = 9), and Control (C n = 10). The AT program consisted of 50-70% of HRMax, 25-40 min/day, three days/wk for eight weeks. Participants in the Vit D group consumed 50,000 IU of Vit D supplement capsules per week for eight weeks. The data were analyzed through paired t-test and one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test at the signification level of P<0.05.AT+Vit D, AT, and Vit D compared to the control, increased BDNF and NGF, and downregulated CRP, TNF-a, IL-6, and IL-1β in MS patients. Additionally, the AT+Vit D group showed significantly lower CRP, TNF-a, IL-6, and IL-1β levels and significantly higher BDNF and NGF levels compared to the AT and Vit D groups. Also, the results of this study showed significant differences between AT and Vit D groups in the variable mentioned above.These findings suggest that AT+Vit D improves neurotrophin and inflammatory biomarker levels in female MS patients more effectively than AT or Vit D alone.