Efeitos do exercício físico sobre os níveis séricos de serotonina e seu metabólito na fibromialgia: Um estudo piloto randomizado

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of aerobic training and stretching on serum levels of serotonin (5HT) and its main metabolite 5-hydroxindolacetic acid (5HIAA). Twenty-two women with FM were randomized into one of two exercise modalities (aerobic walking exercise or stretching exercise) to be accomplished three times a week for 20 weeks. The serum levels of 5HT and 5HIAA were evaluated before and after the exercise program by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with colorimetric detection. Within group analysis (pre-post) showed that serum levels of both 5HT and 5HIAA changed significantly in the aerobic group during the 20-week course of therapy (5HT: P = 0,03; 5HIAA: P = 0,003). In the stretching group, however, no statistically significant change was observed (5HT: P=0,491; 5HIAA: P=0,549). Between group statistical comparisons of laboratory measures disclosed that aerobic training was superior to stretching in that it significantly increased the levels of 5HIAA (F test = 6.61; P = 0.01), but the average difference between groups on the levels of 5HT did not meet significance criteria (F test = 3.42; P = 0.08). Aerobic training increases the 5HIAA and 5HT levels and it could explain why aerobic exercise can improve symptoms in fibromyalgia syndrome patient more than stretching exercise.

Effect of exercise on pain and functional capacity in breast cancer patients

“…Aerobic exercises raise the peripheral levels of beta-endorphins, which reduces the sympathetic system activity, increases sleepiness, and produces psychological stability, in addition to improving the serotonergic system and the relation between nerve endings and the size of muscle fibers. Resistance exercises produce better synchronization of motor unit firings, more efficient motor unit recruitment, central nervous system activity, and motor-neuron excitability, in addition to depressing the inhibitory neural reflexes and inhibiting Golgi tendon organs [ 24 , 35 ]. Finally, flexibility exercises produce better control over the articular structures and soft tissues [ 1 ].…”

The acute effect of maximal exercise on plasma beta-endorphin levels in fibromyalgia patients

“…In healthy subjects, it is known that aerobic physical activity is capable of increasing peripheral levels of β-END, promoting a decrease in sympathetic activity, improving sleep, and facilitating psychological stability [ 5 17 18 19 20 ]. It appears that exercise acts upon many pain mechanisms such as the serotonergic system [ 21 ], sympathetic activity [ 18 ], and β-END [ 17 ]. Even so, in fibromyalgia patients, it seems that the positive results of aerobic exercise may be diminished at least partly due to failure of normal elevation of β-END.…”

What you can do for your fibromyalgia patient

“…Exercise improves Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire scores, increases physical function and fi tness, and reduces tender point counts, depression, and catastrophizing. [41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52] There is no consensus on the best type of exercise, but both strengthening and aerobic exercises appear to be important.…”