Exercise on Contactin-1 and Contactin-2 Level in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis
Condition: Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
MeSH terms: Multiple Sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting; Sclerosis
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      Little is known about the potential effects of exercise on the underlying disease mechanisms
      in multiple sclerosis (MS). Although contactin-1 and contactin-2 are known as two proteins
      involved in axonal regeneration, it is unclear whether these proteins are induced by exercise
      in persons with MS (PwMS). The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels of
      contactin-1 and contactin-2 in PwMS and to investigate the change of these markers with
      exercise. Although contactin-1 and contactin-2 are known as two proteins involved in axonal
      regeneration, the mechanism of action of these proteins in MS patients has not been fully
      elucidated in the literature. The investigators' aim was to determine the serum levels of
      contactin-1 and contactin-2 in a group of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS)
      patients and to evaluate the change of these markers with exercise. Thus, the investigators
      think that a valuable contribution will be made to the literature to shed light on the role
      of biomarkers in the mechanism mediating the beneficial effects of exercise in MS. In
      addition, as far as the investigators know, this study is the first to investigate the effect
      of exercise on contactin-1 and contactin-2 serum levels in MS patients.
    

Detailed description: 
      This randomized controlled trial with a blinded outcome assessment evaluated an 8-week (3
      sessions per week) training intervention to determine the effect of exercise on contactin-1
      and contactin-2 in persons with RRMS. The participants were divided into the intervention and
      control groups by stratified randomization. Stratification was randomly assigned as 1≤ EDSS ≤
      3 and 3< EDSS ≤5.5 using Windows-based SPSS 25.0. (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA). All
      measurements and tests were performed before and after the 8-week exercise program. Blood
      samples were taken for analysis of contactin-1 and contactin-2 serum levels, after which
      participants completed a cognitive performance and a cardiopulmonary exercise test.

      The current study was approved by the Fırat University Human Research Ethics Local Committee
      (2021/12-38) and was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. All
      participants were informed about the study and their written informed consent was obtained
      before the study. Participants performed a graded cardiopulmonary exercise test on a cycle
      ergometer (Ergoline Ergoselect 200; Ergoline GMBH, Bitz, Germany) at the beginning to
      determine their maximum aerobic capacity. The test was stopped at the moment of voluntary
      exhaustion, when patients were unable to maintain cadence (<50 rpm), the maximum effort was
      achieved, or for safety reasons. Venous blood was drawn using venipuncture and clotted for
      serum and centrifuged at 4000g for 5 minutes at 4°C. Serum samples then were aliquoted, and
      stored at -80°C until were assayed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis.
      The serum levels of Contactin-1 (Cat.No: E-EL-H1498) and Contactin-2 (Cat.No: E-EL-H1499)
      were measured with commercially available specific human ELISA kits (Elabscience, Houston,
      Texas, United States). Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test with the 3-second stimulus
      (PASAT-3) was used as a measure of cognitive performance including information processing
      speed, working memory and sustained attention
    

Observational model: Case-Control
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Probability Sample
Study population: 
        The study will be carried out on individuals with MS followed in the Neurology Clinic of
        Fırat University Hospital.
      
Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis; exercise; contactin 1; contactin 2