Abstract
Background: The activation of inflammatory cascades reactions has been consistently demonstrated in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Among several neuroinflammatory mechanisms, the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling system has a central role in this process. The abnormal production of inflammatory factors may accompany the progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia. We aimed to examine serum levels of soluble TNF receptor (sTNFR1) in patients with MCI and AD as compared to cognitively unimpaired elderly subjects. We further aimed to investigate whether abnormal levels of these cytokines predict the progression from MCI to AD upon follow up.
Materials and Methods: We utilized cross-sectional determination of serum levels of sTNFR1 (ELISA method) in a test group comprising 150 older adults (30 AD, 60 MCI, and 60 healthy controls), and longitudinal reassessment of clinical status after12 months.
Results: At baseline, there were statistically significant differences in serum sTNFR1 between patients with MCI and AD and controls (p< 0.05). Also, patients with MCI who had more disorder in diagnostic functions and progressed to AD after one year, had significantly higher serum sTNFR1 levels as opposed to patients who retained the diagnosis of MCI upon follow up (p=0.03).
Conclusion: The results showed that abnormal activation of TNF signaling system, represented by increased expression of sTNFR1, is associated with a higher risk of progression from MCI to AD.
 

Background and Aim: Weight gain and vitamin D deficiency are associated with increased systemic inflammation and chronic diseases. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of regular Pilates training associated with Vitamin D intake on Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in overweight males.
Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 52 overweight men aged 45-55 years. Volunteers were firstly selected through the convenience sampling method. Then, they were divided into Pilates training, Pilates training + vitamin D supplementation, vitamin D supplementation (combined), and control groups (n=13/group). The provided Pilates training program was performed for 8 weeks (with the intensity of 50%-75% of reserve heart rate, 3 sessions/week). The supplement and combined groups also received 50000 units of oral vitamin D weekly for 8 weeks. The serum levels of variables were determined using the ELISA method. The obtained data were analyzed by Paired Samples t-test, one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Kruskal–Wallis test at the significant level of <0.05.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee at Islamic Azad University, Babol Branch, Iran (Code: IR.IAU.BABOL.REC.1398.088). Also, this study was approved by the Iranian Clinical Trial Registration Center (Code: IRCT20190831044650N2)
Results: The collected results indicated that 8 weeks of Pilates training, vitamin D intake, and the combined intervention were associated with a significant increase in IL-10 (P<0.001) and a decrease in TNF-α (P<0.001). Additionally, the presented combination intervention was associated with further alternations in the research variables, compared to the other two interventions; however, in the exercise group, the decrease in TNF-α level was more than that in the vitamin D intake group (P=0.012).
Conclusion: It seems that in overweight combined with vitamin D deficiency stats, the anti-inflammatory effects of Pilates training, vitamin D supplementation interventions, and a combination of the two methods can be attributed in part to up-regulation IL-10 and TNF-α reduction; however, the effectiveness of the combined intervention on the development of inflammation was greater than that of the other two interventions. Furthermore, the effect of Pilates training on reducing TNF-α was stronger than that of vitamin D supplementation.