Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk

Abstract Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease associated with neurodegeneration and impaired neurotrophic support. Neuromuscular training, through integrated activation of the nervous and muscular systems, may positively influence these neurotrophic factors. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of combined training on serum BDNF and GDNF levels in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Thirty women with multiple sclerosis (mean age: 36.2±5.8 years; BMI: 22.1±4.2 kg/m²) were purposively selected and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=15) or a control group (n=15). The experimental group completed an eight-week combined training program (three sessions per week), consisting of core stability, resistance, balance, and agility exercises with progressive overload, while exercise intensity was controlled using the Borg perceived exertion scale., while the control group continued their usual daily activities. Blood samples were collected 24 hours before and 48 hours after the final training session, and the obtained serum was used to measure BDNF and GDNF levels. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance with a significance level of 0.05, employing SPSS software (version 27). The results demonstrated that neuromuscular training induced significant increases in serum BDNF (p=0.001, η²=0.80) and GDNF (p=0.001, η²=0.79) levels in the experimental group compared with the control group. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that eight weeks of neuromuscular training elicit significant increases in serum BDNF and GDNF levels in women with multiple sclerosis. These findings indicate an enhanced neurotrophic environment that may support neural plasticity and neuroprotective mechanisms. Accordingly, neuromuscular training appears to be a safe and effective non-pharmacological strategy for improving neural health and potentially attenuating neurological dysfunctions associated with multiple sclerosis.

Abstract Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a vital role in the brain. On the other hand, researchers showed that exercise may cause more release of BDNF and thus have a positive effect on the brain. Studies have reported controversial findings in multiple sclerosis, and there are no broad conclusions on this topic. This study aims to systematically investigate the effect of exercise training on BDNF concentration in multiple sclerosis animal models. Searches were conducted in the electronic databases of PubMed, Scopus, Medline, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar search engine to obtain the related articles about the role of exercise training on BDNF levels just in animal models of multiple sclerosis. All of the database searches were limited to the period from inception to February 2021. Two reviewers extracted study details and data. The methodological quality of the studies that used animal models was assessed using the PEDro Scale. Fourteen articles were included in this review with scores from 7/10 to 8/10 according to the PEDro scale. Five articles reported elevation, one article reported a reduction; and eight articles reported no changes in BDNF level following or preconditioning exercise training in model of multiple sclerosis. The findings of this study showed that aerobic exercise increases changes in central BDNF concentration in multiple sclerosis in animal model.