title: Impact of physical exercise on catechol-O-methyltransferase activity in depressive patients: A preliminary communication.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a catabolic enzyme involved in the degradation of bioactive molecules including the neurotransmitters epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Higher COMT activity in depressive patients in comparison to non-depressed individuals has been reported. The effect of aerobic exercise on depressive patients has been studied and a number of researchers and clinicians believe it to be effective in the treatment of depression and to be involved in several molecular underlying mechanisms. However, the effect of physical exercise on this enzyme activity is unknown, and it remains to be elucidated if chronic exercise changes COMT activity. This randomized control trial evaluates the effects of chronic exercise on peripheral COMT (S-COMT) activity in women with depressive disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen women (aged: 51.4±10.5 years) diagnosed with depression (according to International Classification of Diseases-10) were randomized to one of two groups: pharmacotherapy plus physical exercise (n=7) or only pharmacotherapy (n=7). The aerobic exercise program was supervised, lasting between 45-50min/session, three times/week for 16 weeks. Erythrocyte soluble COMT were assessed prior to and after the exercise program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Exercise group when compared to a control group presented a significant decrease (p=0.02, r=-0.535) in S-COMT activity between baseline and post-intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data are preliminary outcomes from a small sample and should be replicated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic exercise therapy combined with pharmacotherapy leads to significant decrease in S-COMT activity. Our results provide evidence that exercise interferes with S-COMT activity, a molecular mechanism involved in depression.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Research, Sports Sciences, Health and Human Development, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal. Electronic address: larafcarneiro@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Lara S F
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Carneiro
authors.affiliation: Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Porto, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: António Manuel
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Serrão
authors.affiliation: Centre of Research, Sports Sciences, Health and Human Development, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria Paula
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Mota
authors.affiliation: Department of Education and Psychology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vasconcelos-Raposo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Psychiatry and Mental Health Clinic, Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria Augusta
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Vieira-Coelho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000097:blood*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase
keywords: Aerobic exercise; Catechols; Depression; Enzymes; Women