5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; serotonin) has been implicated in the perception of exercise-induced fatigue. Sumatriptan is a selective 5-HT1B/D receptor agonist which does not cross the blood–brain barrier. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of sumatriptan on exercise capacity. Ten healthy male subjects (mean age 28.4±10.8 years) performed a maximal treadmill exercise test according to the Bruce protocol with expired gas analysis on two occasions. Either 6 mg of sumatriptan or placebo was administered subcutaneously in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design. Exercise time was greater after placebo compared with sumatriptan [914 and 879 s respectively; 95% confidence interval (CI) of difference 12.1 s, 59.1 s; P = 0.008]. There was no significant effect on peak oxygen consumption (placebo, 50.6±6.3 ml·min-1·kg-1; sumatriptan, 51.7±7.6 ml·min-1·kg-1). Sumatriptan administration resulted in decreases in both heart rate (sumatriptan, 188±14 beats/min, placebo, 196±12 beats/min; 95% CI of difference 12.6, 2.6; P = 0.008) and respiratory exchange ratio (sumatriptan, 1.23±0.06; placebo, 1.26±0.07; 95% CI of difference 0.05, 0.01; P = 0.01) at peak exercise. There were no significant differences in blood pressure, heart rate or submaximal oxygen consumption between sumatriptan and placebo treatments at any stage of exercise. Thus sumatriptan reduces maximal exercise capacity in normal males. The failure to demonstrate any haemodynamic or cardiorespiratory effect suggests that sumatriptan enhances perception of fatigue by a peripheral mechanism affecting 5-HT modulation.
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May 17 2000
Sumatriptan reduces exercise capacity in healthy males: a peripheral effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine agonism?
Gerald P. MCCANN;
1Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Glasgow, Gardiner Institute, Church Street, Glasgow G11 6NT, Scotland, U.K.
Correspondence: Dr G. P. McCann, Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, Lincs. PE21 9QS, U.K. (e-mail [email protected]).
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Helen CAHILL;
Helen CAHILL
1Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Glasgow, Gardiner Institute, Church Street, Glasgow G11 6NT, Scotland, U.K.
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Stephen KNIPE;
Stephen KNIPE
1Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Glasgow, Gardiner Institute, Church Street, Glasgow G11 6NT, Scotland, U.K.
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Douglas F. MUIR;
Douglas F. MUIR
1Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Glasgow, Gardiner Institute, Church Street, Glasgow G11 6NT, Scotland, U.K.
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Paul D. MACINTYRE;
Paul D. MACINTYRE
1Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Glasgow, Gardiner Institute, Church Street, Glasgow G11 6NT, Scotland, U.K.
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W. Stewart HILLS
W. Stewart HILLS
1Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Glasgow, Gardiner Institute, Church Street, Glasgow G11 6NT, Scotland, U.K.
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
August 09 1999
Revision Received:
December 06 1999
Accepted:
February 02 2000
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
The Biochemical Society and the Medical Research Society © 2000
2000
Clin Sci (Lond) (2000) 98 (6): 643–648.
Article history
Received:
August 09 1999
Revision Received:
December 06 1999
Accepted:
February 02 2000
Citation
Gerald P. MCCANN, Helen CAHILL, Stephen KNIPE, Douglas F. MUIR, Paul D. MACINTYRE, W. Stewart HILLS; Sumatriptan reduces exercise capacity in healthy males: a peripheral effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine agonism?. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 June 2000; 98 (6): 643–648. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/cs0980643
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