Improvement of fatigue in multiple sclerosis by physical exercise is associated to modulation of systemic interferon response

J Neuroimmunol. 2015 Mar 15:280:8-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2015.01.011. Epub 2015 Jan 28.

Abstract

Mechanisms underlying multiple sclerosis (MS) fatigue and the causes of the beneficial effect of exercise on this symptom are not clarified. Our aim was to evaluate gene expression profiles in MS patients who improved their fatigue status after an exercise program and to compare them with healthy controls (HC). Gene expression in whole blood was profiled at baseline in 7 HC and also in 7 fatigued-MS patients. Patients underwent an exercise program for 6 months, and their fatigue status and gene expression profiles were again analyzed. MS patients showed a significant activation of genes participating in the systemic interferon response in comparison with HC that disappeared at the end of the program. Our results provide a biological basis for the observed benefit of exercise in MS.

Keywords: Fatigue; Interferon; Multiple sclerosis; Physical activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Exercise*
  • Fatigue / etiology*
  • Fatigue / rehabilitation*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Interferons / genetics
  • Interferons / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / complications*
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Interferons