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Endocannabinoids and Heart Rate Variability Alterations after Exposure to Prolonged Intensive Physical Exercise of the Hellenic Navy SEALs

Author

Listed:
  • Stamatis Mourtakos

    (Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
    Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece)

  • Georgia Vassiliou

    (Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
    Neurosciences and Precision Medicine Research Institute “Costas Stefanis”, University Mental Health, 115 27 Athens, Greece)

  • Konstantinos Kontoangelos

    (Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
    Neurosciences and Precision Medicine Research Institute “Costas Stefanis”, University Mental Health, 115 27 Athens, Greece)

  • Anastassios Philippou

    (Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece)

  • Elias Tzavellas

    (Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece)

  • José Francisco Tornero-Aguilera

    (Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain)

  • Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez

    (Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
    Grupo de Investigación en Cultura, Educación y Sociedad, Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia)

  • Charalabos Papageorgiou

    (Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
    Neurosciences and Precision Medicine Research Institute “Costas Stefanis”, University Mental Health, 115 27 Athens, Greece)

  • Labros S. Sidossis

    (Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
    Department of Kinesiology and Health, Division of Life Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA)

  • Christos Papageorgiou

    (251 Air Force General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece)

Abstract

Background: Recent research indicates that both endocannabinoids (eCB) and heart rate variability (HRV) are associated with stress-induced experiences. However, these underlying mechanisms are not elucidated. The present study aims to investigate whether exposure to acute and chronic stress conditions can give rise to measurable changes, both to the peripheral eCB ligands and HRV. Methods: Thirteen candidates under intense preparation for their enlistment in the Hellenic Navy SEALs (HNS) participated in the study. All subjects underwent mental state examination, while HRV variables in time and frequency domain recordings were acquired. Furthermore, at baseline and 30 days after prolonged and intensive physical exercise, hair was collected to measure eCB ligands, such as anandamide (AEA), 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), and the N -acyl ethanolamine (NAE) molecules: palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and oleoylethanolamide (OEA). Results: Comparing basal hair concentrations of eCB ligands before and after intense physical exercise, we found that AEA, PEA, and OEA were notably increased, whereas no differences were observed regarding the ligand 2-AG. Furthermore, there were observed associations between the concentrations of peripheral eCB ligands, both at baseline and after the prolonged physical exercise and the time and frequency domains of HRV. Conclusions: These findings suggest that endocannabinoid–HRV interrelations might share a short-term, and long-term adaptability of the changes in self-regulation associated with stress. Further studies will be required to determine the validity of peripheral eCB signaling and HRV as a biomarker for different aspects of the stress response.

Suggested Citation

  • Stamatis Mourtakos & Georgia Vassiliou & Konstantinos Kontoangelos & Anastassios Philippou & Elias Tzavellas & José Francisco Tornero-Aguilera & Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez & Charalabos Papageorgio, 2021. "Endocannabinoids and Heart Rate Variability Alterations after Exposure to Prolonged Intensive Physical Exercise of the Hellenic Navy SEALs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-10, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2021:i:1:p:28-:d:707572
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrea G. Hohmann & Richard L. Suplita & Nathan M. Bolton & Mark H. Neely & Darren Fegley & Regina Mangieri & Jocelyn F. Krey & J. Michael Walker & Philip V. Holmes & Jonathon D. Crystal & Andrea Dura, 2005. "An endocannabinoid mechanism for stress-induced analgesia," Nature, Nature, vol. 435(7045), pages 1108-1112, June.
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