Aim: 

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of an aquatic exercise training therapy on pro- (IL-1b and TNF-a) and anti- (IL-10) inflammatory cytokine production by monocytes in fibromyalgia patients

Methods: 

The study sample comprised women diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FW) (n=10). This group took part in an aquatic fitness program over a period of eight months. The program consisted of three weekly 60-minute sessions in an indoor swimming pool (at 30.0°C), basically as follows: aerobic warm-up, passive stretching of the main muscle groups, aquatic choreography, strength exercises involving the main muscle groups, cool down. Monocytes were isolated and cultured (in both the absence and presence of bacterial lipopolysaccharide, LPS) in flat-bottom 48-well cell culture plates for 24h (at 37°C, 5% CO₂, and 100% RH). IL-1b, TNF-a, and IL-10 were assayed in the supernatants (by ELISA) in the basal status of the fibromyalgia patients (and then compared with the basal levels in healthy women, HW), midway through and at the end of the training program (8 months).

Results: 

Non-activated monocytes from FW released higher concentrations of IL-1b, TNF-a, and IL-10 than HW. Activated monocytes (with LPS) also showed a significantly higher IL-1b and IL-10 production in FW. The aquatic exercise training program clearly decreased the pro-inflammatory cytokine production to the HW levels. In addition, exercise also increased the monocyte IL-10 production in response to LPS in FW, remaining elevated with respect to HW.

Conclusion: 

In conclusion, aquatic exercise training improves the inflammatory response in fibromyalgia patients.