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The antiserotonin agent pizotifen does not increase endurance performance in humans
J L Pannier1, J J Bouckaert, R A Lefebvre
1Institute of Physical Education, Gent, Belgium.
Summary
The serotonin antagonist pizotifen did not enhance endurance exercise performance in healthy men. This study suggests no central fatigue component mediated by serotoninergic neurons during prolonged exertion.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Serotonin plays a role in central fatigue during prolonged exercise.
- Serotonin receptor antagonists may improve endurance performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of pizotifen, a serotonin receptor antagonist, on endurance performance.
- To determine if pizotifen influences central fatigue mechanisms during treadmill exercise.
Main Methods:
- Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study.
- Eight healthy men performed treadmill exercise to exhaustion at 70% VO2max.
- Pizotifen (1 mg) or placebo administered 5 hours pre-exercise.
- Measurements included oxygen uptake, heart rate, perceived exertion, and blood markers (lactate, glucose, amino acids, ammonia, haematocrit).
Main Results:
- No significant differences in exercise time to exhaustion between pizotifen and placebo trials.
- Exercise duration was slightly shorter with pizotifen (109.4 min) vs. placebo (119.8 min), not statistically significant.
- Plasma free-tryptophan:branched chain amino acid ratio was lower post-exercise with pizotifen.
Conclusions:
- Pizotifen does not improve endurance performance in humans.
- Results do not support a central fatigue component mediated by serotoninergic neurons during exercise.
- Further research may explore other neurotransmitter systems in fatigue.