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Khajehei M. Endorphins, Sexuality, and Reproduction. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 35:397-433. [PMID: 38874734 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-45493-6_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Beta-endorphin is secreted from the hypothalamus and pituitary in both mother and newborn. The placenta produces numerous pituitary hormones from the third month of pregnancy, one of which is βE. It has been suggested that βE has a role in the appetitive and precopulatory phase of sexual behavior in animals. An increase in endorphin levels during sexual activity in humans may contribute to attachment and bonding between partners, but contradictory reports in the literature question the association between sexuality and βE levels. The level of βE also increases during pregnancy, rises in early labor, peaks in late labor, and drops in the postpartum period. This fluctuation provides natural analgesia, raises the pain threshold, decreases the sensation of pain, or suppresses pain, and decreases fear levels during labor and birth. Beta-endorphin also protects the fetus from hypoxia during labor and birth and potential neural damage by aiding blood flow to the brain under hypoxic conditions. It has been suggested that a variety of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic complementary therapies, when used in pregnancy, labor, and birth, activate the opioid receptors in the CNS and alter the sensation of pain during labor and birth, affect the mother-child attachment and affect sexual function. These studies report contradictory results that will be discussed in this chapter.
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Goldfarb AH, Kraemer RR, Baiamonte BA. Endogenous Opioids and Exercise-Related Hypoalgesia: Modern Models, Measurement, and Mechanisms of Action. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 35:137-155. [PMID: 38874722 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-45493-6_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
This chapter will focus on the role exercise appears to have on activation and modulating factors within the central nervous system related to endogenous like opioids and its possible contribution to exercise-induced hypoalgesia. The implications for the exercise-mediated alterations of CNS activation factors related to opioids, specifically endorphins and enkephalins, will be presented. In this update, we discuss utilization of new technology and methods to monitor mechanisms of opioid involvement to suggest their contribution with exercise mediated hypoalgesia as well as their relationships to alterations of perceptions of pain and mood. Several special populations were included to suggest that not all individuals will respond to the exercise by mediating hypoalgesia. Factors that may confound the current understanding and suggestions from the recent literature will be presented as well as suggestions for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan H Goldfarb
- University of North Carolina Greensboro, Department of Kinesiology, Greensboro, NC, USA.
| | - Robert R Kraemer
- Southeastern Louisiana University, Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Hammond, LA, USA
| | - Brandon A Baiamonte
- Southeastern Louisiana University, Department of Psychology, Hammond, LA, USA
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Karkada SR, Noronha JA, Bhat SK, Bhat P, Nayak BS. Effectiveness of antepartum breathing exercises on the outcome of labour: A randomized controlled trial. F1000Res 2023; 11:159. [PMID: 37483553 PMCID: PMC10359740 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.75960.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Childbirth is a life-transforming intense event to a woman and her family. Even though a variety of non-pharmacological techniques are readily available to alleviate the distress of women in labour, the majority of women are unaware of its benefits. The objective of the study was to explore the impact of a simple non-pharmacological technique i.e., antepartum breathing exercises on maternal outcomes of labour among primigravid women. Methods A single centre prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted at the antenatal outpatient clinic of a secondary healthcare institution. Eligible primigravid women were randomized into intervention and standard care groups. Both groups received standard obstetrical care. In addition, the intervention group were taught antepartum breathing exercises and were advised to practise daily and also during the active stage of labour. The primary outcome of the trial was the maternal outcome of labour measured in terms of onset of labour, nature of delivery, duration of labour, and need for augmentation of labour. Data was collected using World Health Organization (WHO) partograph, structured observational record on the outcome of labour. Results A total of 98 (70%) primigravid women who practised antepartum breathing exercises had spontaneous onset of labour. The odds of spontaneous onset of labour after randomization in the intervention group was 2.192 times more when compared to standard care at a (95% confidence interval 1.31-3.36, p<.001). Also, the requirement for augmentation of labour was minimal and there was a reduction in the rate of caesarean deliveries ( p <.05) based on the χ2 test. The overall mean duration of labour was less compared to standard care group F(1)= 133.800, p <.001. Conclusion Antepartum breathing exercises during labour can facilitate spontaneous vaginal birth, shorten the duration of labour, and reduce the need for operative interference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushmitha R Karkada
- Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Judith A Noronha
- Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Shashikala K Bhat
- Melaka Manipal Medical College & Dr. TMA Pai Hospital Udupi,, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Parvati Bhat
- Melaka Manipal Medical College & Dr. TMA Pai Hospital Udupi,, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Baby S Nayak
- Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
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Bridging skin, brain, and behavior to understand pleasurable social touch. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2022; 73:102527. [PMID: 35453001 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.102527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Social touch-the affiliative skin-to-skin contact between individuals-can rapidly evoke emotions of comfort, pleasure, or calm, and is essential for mental and physical well-being. Physical isolation from social support can be devastating. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed a global increase in suicidal ideation, anxiety, domestic violence, and worsening of pre-existing physical conditions, alerting society to our need to understand the neurobiology of social touch and how it promotes normal health. Gaining a mechanistic understanding of how sensory neuron stimulation induces pleasure, calm, and analgesia may reveal untapped therapeutic targets in the periphery for treatment of anxiety and depression, as well as social disorders and traumas in which social touch becomes aversive. Bridging the gap between stimulation in the skin and positive affect in the brain-especially during naturally occurring social touch behaviors-remains a challenge to the field. However, with advances in mouse genetics, behavioral quantification, and brain imaging approaches to measure neuronal firing and neurochemical release, completing this mechanistic picture may be on the horizon. Here, we summarize some exciting new findings about social touch in mammals, emphasizing both the peripheral and central nervous systems, with attempts to bridge the gap between external stimulation and internal representations in the brain.
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Labor Pain Management. Integr Med (Encinitas) 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-35868-2.00052-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Mertz MJ, Earl CJ. Labor Pain Management. Integr Med (Encinitas) 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-1-4377-1793-8.00104-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Boecker H, Othman A, Mueckter S, Scheef L, Pensel M, Daamen M, Jankowski J, Schild H, Tölle T, Schreckenberger M. Advocating neuroimaging studies of transmitter release in human physical exercise challenges studies. Open Access J Sports Med 2010; 1:167-75. [PMID: 24198554 PMCID: PMC3781866 DOI: 10.2147/oajsm.s12054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This perspective attempts to outline the emerging role of positron emission tomography (PET) ligand activation studies in human exercise research. By focusing on the endorphinergic system and its acclaimed role for exercise-induced antinociception and mood enhancement, we like to emphasize the unique potential of ligand PET applied to human athletes for uncovering the neurochemistry of exercise-induced psychophysiological phenomena. Compared with conventional approaches, in particular quantification of plasma beta-endorphin levels under exercise challenges, which are reviewed in this article, studying opioidergic effects directly in the central nervous system (CNS) with PET and relating opioidergic binding changes to neuropsychological assessments, provides a more refined and promising experimental strategy. Although a vast literature dating back to the 1980s of the last century has been able to reproducibly demonstrate peripheral increases of beta-endorphin levels after various exercise challenges, so far, these studies have failed to establish robust links between peripheral beta-endorphin levels and centrally mediated behavioral effects, ie, modulation of mood and/or pain perception. As the quantitative relation between endorphins in the peripheral blood and the CNS remains unknown, the question arises, to what extent conventional blood-based methods can inform researchers about central neurotransmitter effects. As previous studies using receptor blocking approaches have also revealed equivocal results regarding exercise effects on pain and mood processing, it is expected that PET and other functional neuroimaging applications in athletes may in future help uncover some of the hitherto unknown links between neurotransmission and psychophysiological effects related to physical exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henning Boecker
- Fe Klinische Funktionelle Neurobildgebung, radiologische Universitätsklinik, Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Germany
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Bender T, Nagy G, Barna I, Tefner I, Kádas E, Géher P. The effect of physical therapy on beta-endorphin levels. Eur J Appl Physiol 2007; 100:371-82. [PMID: 17483960 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-007-0469-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/06/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Beta-endorphin (betaE) is an important reliever of pain. Various stressors and certain modalities of physiotherapy are potent inducers of the release of endogenous betaE to the blood stream. Most forms of exercise also increase blood betaE level, especially when exercise intensity involves reaching the anaerobic threshold and is associated with the elevation of serum lactate level. Age, gender, and mental activity during exercise also may influence betaE levels. Publications on the potential stimulating effect of manual therapy and massage on betaE release are controversial. Sauna, mud bath, and thermal water increase betaE levels through conveying heat to the tissues. The majority of the techniques for electrical stimulation have a similar effect, which is exerted both centrally and--to a lesser extent--peripherally. However, the parameters of electrotherapy have not yet been standardised. The efficacy of analgesia and the improvement of general well-being do not necessarily correlate with betaE level. Although in addition to blood, increased brain and cerebrospinal fluid betaE levels are also associated with pain, the majority of studies have concerned blood betaE levels. In general, various modalities of physical therapy might influence endorphin levels in the serum or in the cerebrospinal fluid--this is usually manifested by elevation with potential mitigation of pain. However, a causal relationship between the elevation of blood, cerebrospinal fluid or brain betaE levels and the onset of the analgesic action cannot be demonstrated with certainty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Bender
- Polyclinic of Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God, Budapest, Hungary.
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