The Effect of Exercise on Myokine Levels in Multiple Sclerosis: IL-6, BDNF, Irısın and TNF- α

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and neurodegeneration in the central nervous system. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), irisin, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) are myokines that play critical roles in both the progression of the disease and in neuroprotection. Exercise is known to stimulate the release of these myokines from skeletal muscles, thereby exerting anti-inflammatory and/or neuroprotective effects. These effects contribute to the regulation of the immune system and neuroregeneration, positioning exercise as a potential complementary therapeutic strategy in MS management. The present review aims to examine alterations in myokine levels (IL-6, BDNF, irisin, and TNF-α) among patients with multiple sclerosis and to investigate the effects of exercise on these parameters. A review of the literature indicates that myokine levels in MS patients differ from those of healthy individuals, and that exercise has significant modulatory effects on these biomarkers. The findings generally demonstrate that IL-6 and TNF-α levels tend to be elevated in MS, yet decrease or stabilize following exercise interventions, whereas BDNF and irisin levels, which are often reduced in MS, increase in response to exercise. Collectively, these findings suggest that exercise may exert anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, thereby contributing positively to the clinical course of the disease.