The Effect of 12 Weeks of Interval and Continuous Training on Serum Levels of Interleukin-17 and Interleukin-10 in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Survivors: A Clinical Trial

Breast cancer is one of the inflammatory diseases, and physical inactivity is one of the risk factors. It has been suggested that exercise training can improve breast cancer outcomes by modulating inflammation. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training and moderate- intensity continuous training on serum levels of IL-17 and IL-10 in breast cancer survivors.

In this quasi-experimental study, 45 postmenopausal women (age:57.25± 3.91)  who after the termination of breast cancer treatments, were randomly divided into three groups of 15 individuals each: (1) a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) group, (2) a moderate-intensity continuous training (MOD) group, and (3) a control group. HIIT and MOD were performed for 12 weeks, three days a week, using a cycle ergometer. Body composition and biochemical indices were evaluated 48 hours before and after the interventions. Data were analyzed using  one- way ANOVA and the Tukey post hoc test at a significance level of 0.05.

The results showed that 12 weeks of HIIT and MOD significantly decreased IL-17 (P< 0.001 and P= 0.004, respectively) and significantly increased IL-10 (P= 0.005, P= 0.027, respectively). However, a significant difference (P= 0.004) was observed between the training group and the control group only in the levels of IL-17. In addition, no significant difference was observed between the two training groups in IL-17 or IL-10 (P> 0.05).

It seems that HIIT and MOD can be incorporated in breast cancer treatment plans as effective strategies for modulating inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors.