The effects of the 5-HT2C agonist m-chlorophenylpiperazine on elite athletes with unexplained underperformance syndrome (overtraining).
A possible link between the neurotransmitter, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), plasma tryptophan, and branched chain amino acids concentration and exercise-induced fatigue is described by the central fatigue hypothesis. 5-HT receptors and neuroendocrine "challenge" tests, using prolactin release as an indirect measure of 5-HT activity were studied by recent investigations. In the present study, the original hypothesis about the role of amino acids in increasing brain 5-HT with a neuroendocrine challenge test on elite athletes diagnosed with unexplained, underperformance syndrome (UUPS) was combined. There was an apparent increased sensitivity of 5-HT receptors in athletes with UUPS compared with fit, well-trained controls, as measured via increased prolactin release following a bolus dose of m-chlorophenylpiperazine , a 5-HT agonist. No changes were observed in plasma amino acid concentrations in either group. There is evidence that well-trained athletes have a reduced sensitivity of 5-HT receptors. The present study suggests that this adaptation may be lost in athletes with UUPS: this might explain some of their observed symptoms.
Budgett
R
R
Olympic Medical Institute, Northwick Park Hospital, Watford, UK.
Hiscock
N
N
Arida
R M
RM
Arida
R
R
Castell
L M
LM
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013177:Sports; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010879:Piperazines; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D011388:Prolactin; C015068:1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine