Effects of exercise stress on the endocannabinoid system in humans under field conditions.
Eur J Appl Physiol
; 112(7): 2777-81, 2012 Jul.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22101870
ABSTRACT
The effects of physical exercise stress on the endocannabinoid system in humans are almost unexplored. In this prospective study, we investigated in a crossover design and under field conditions at different altitudes the effects of physical exercise on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in 12 trained healthy volunteers. For determination of alterations on the ECS three different protocols were analyzed Protocol A (physical exercise at lower altitude) involved strenuous hiking below 2,100 m, whereas Protocol B (physical exercise by active ascent to high altitude) involved hiking up to 3,196 m, an accommodation at the cottage and a descent the next day. Protocol C (passive ascent) included a helicopter ascent to 3,196 m, an overnight stay at this altitude and a flight back to the base camp the following day. The cumulative hiked altitude in Protocol A and B was comparable (~1,650 m). The blood EC concentrations of anandamide increased significantly in Protocol A/B from baseline (T0) 0.12 ± 0.01/0.16 ± 0.02 (mean ± SEM) to 0.27 ± 0.02/0.42 ± 0.02 after exercise (T1) (p < 0.05). Anandamide levels in Protocol C remained stable at 0.20 ± 0.02. We conclude that the ECS is activated upon strenuous exercise whereas the combination with hypoxic stress further increases its activity. The reduced partial pressure of oxygen at high altitude alone did not affect this system. In summary, physical exercise activates the endocannabinoid system, whereas the combination with high altitude enhances this activation. This discloses new perspectives to adaptation mechanisms to physical exercise.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Resistência Física
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Exercício Físico
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Ácidos Araquidônicos
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Endocanabinoides
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Esforço Físico
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Alcamidas Poli-Insaturadas
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Altitude
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Moduladores de Receptores de Canabinoides
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
Limite:
Adult
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Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Eur J Appl Physiol
Assunto da revista:
FISIOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2012
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Alemanha