The effects of eight weeks’ yoga training on serum levels of IL-17 in women with multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis or MS is an autoimmune disease of the central Nervous system and the most common cause of disability among young adults. TH17 cells play an important role in the development of autoimmune diseases, including MS, and the effects of IL-17 in the process of demyelization of nerve cells in MS patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight-week yoga training on serum levels of IL-17 in women with multiple sclerosis.

For this purpose, 16 females with MS (with a mean age of 37.8± 7.7 years, height 161.7± 7.4cm weighs 70.7±18.2 kg) and EDSS <4 were selected. Subjects were randomly assigned to yoga (n=8) and control (n=8) groups. Yoga Group participated in yoga classes for eight weeks (three times a week), while the control group continued their routine activities. Blood samples were collected 48 hours before and 48 hours after exercise and serum levels of IL-17 assessed by ELISA kits. Data analysis was performed with SPSS22 software and using independent t-test at a significance level of P≤0/05.

The results of statistical analysis showed that the level of IL-17 in the experimental group significantly decreased compared to the control group (p = 0.001).

Based on the results of this study, eight weeks of yoga training, by reducing serum levels of IL-17, play an important role in helping to improve the condition of MS patients.