The aim of the study was to investigate whether 20 whole-body cryotherapy treatments have an effect on oxidative-antioxidant imbalances in women with multiple sclerosis. Fifty women aged 30-55 were examined: study group-15 women with multiple sclerosis, subjected to whole-body cryotherapy; first control group-20 women with multiple sclerosis who did not receive cryotherapy intervention; second control group-15 healthy women who participated in cryotherapy treatments. Blood from the examined women was collected twice (before and after the series of 20 cryotherapy sessions). An insignificant increase in the total antioxidant capacity (study group: p = 0.706; second control group: p = 0.602) was observed after the whole-body cryotherapy intervention. After the series of cryotherapy sessions, the total oxidative status/total oxidative capacity value was insignificantly decreased among the multiple sclerosis patients (decrease by 14.03%, p = 0.495). In women with multiple sclerosis, no significant cryotherapy impact was demonstrated on changes in the oxidant-antioxidant imbalance or concentrations of nitric oxide, uric acid, or matrix metalloproteinase-9.
Keywords: antioxidant capacity; cryotherapy; free radicals; multiple sclerosis; neurons; oxidative stress.