Post-exercise nasal vasoconstriction and hyporeactivity: possible involvement of neuropeptide Y

Can Sex Improve Nasal Function?-An Exploration of the Link Between Sex and Nasal Function

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to examine the impact of sexual activity on nasal breathing and compare such effect to that of a nasal decongestant.

METHODS

We evaluated nasal breathing at 5 different times: (1) before sexual activity (baseline), (2) immediately after sexual activity, (3) 30 minutes, (4) 1 hour (5), and 3 hours after sexual climax. Same measurements were taken on the second day following application of nasal decongestant spray. For evaluation of nasal breathing, we used a visual analogue scale (VAS). Additionally, we used a portable rhinometric device to measure resistance and nasal flow.

RESULTS

Nasal breathing improved significantly after sexual intercourse with climax to the same degree as after application of nasal decongestant for up to 60 minutes, as measured subjectively with the VAS (sex -3.6, P < .001; spray -3.2, P < .001). This was confirmed in the objective rhinometric data as mean nasal flow (mL/s) increased while resistance decreased immediately (flow sex +214, P < .001; flow spray +235, P < .001), 30 (flow sex +249, P < .001; flow spray +287, P < .001), and 60 minutes (flow sex +180, P < .001; flow spray +287, P < .001) post-intervention. Nasal breathing was back to the baseline level after 3 hours following sexual intercourse, while it continued to be improved for longer after application of nasal decongestant. Only participants having nasal obstruction (Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation score >30) showed nasal function improvement after sex.

CONCLUSIONS

Sexual intercourse with climax can improve nasal breathing to the same degree as application of nasal decongestant for up to 60 minutes in patients having nasal obstruction.

Saxagliptin: A potential doping agent? A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, and crossover pilot study in young active men

Neuropeptide Ys (NPYs) contribute to sympathetic-adreno stimulation: NPY1-36 potentiates the effects of catecholamines (CATs), whereas NPY3-36 inhibits CAT release. We sought to investigate whether inhibiting dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 (DPP4), cleaving NPY1-36 into NPY3-36, leads to increased NPY1-36 potentiating effects and reduced NPY3-36 inhibitory effects on CATs, thereby improving endurance performance. Seven male participants (age 27 ± 3 years, BMI 23.1 ± 2.4 kg/m² ) performed time-to-exhaustion cycling exercise at 95% of peak power output with either placebo, or saxagliptin, a DPP4 inhibitor. Oxygen consumption (V̇O₂ ), heart rate variability, NPY1-36, NPY3-36, catecholamines, and lactate were measured at several time points before, during, and after exercise. With saxagliptin, DPP4 activity (12.7 ± 1.6 vs. 0.2 ± 0.3 U/L, p = 0.001; d = 10.7) was decreased at rest, while NPY3-36 (1.94 ± 0.88 vs. 0.73 ± 0.22 pm; p < 0.001; d = 2.04) decreased and NPY1-36 increased during exercise (2.64 ± 2.22 vs. 4.59 ± 2.98 pm; p < 0.01; d = 0.19). CATs were unchanged. Time-to-exhaustion was 32% higher with saxagliptin. The difference in time-to-exhaustion between placebo and saxagliptin was correlated with NPY1-36 differences (R = 0.78, p < 0.05). Peak V̇O₂ and other cardio-respiratory values were not different, whereas peak NPY concentrations were higher with saxagliptin. DPP4 blockade improved performance, increased NPY1-36, and decreased NPY3-36 concentrations which may have potentiating effects on the influences of CATs. However, DPP4 is involved in many different actions, thus NPYs are one group of factors that may underly its performance-enhancing effects; further studies are required to determine the exact mechanisms.

Kinetics of neuropeptide Y, catecholamines, and physiological responses during moderate and heavy intensity exercises

Neuropeptide Y 1-36 (NPY1-36) is a vasoconstrictor peptide co-secreted with norepinephrine (NE) by nerve endings during sympathetic activation. NPY1-36 potentiates NE action post-synaptically through the stimulation of the Y1 receptor, whereas its metabolite NPY3-36 resulting from DPP4 action activates Y2 presynaptic receptors, inhibiting NE and acetylcholine secretion. The secretions of NPY1-36 and NPY3-36 in response to sympathetic nervous system activation have not been studied due to the lack of analytical techniques available to distinguish them. We determined in healthy volunteers NPY1-36, NPY3-36 and catecholamine kinetics and how these neurotransmitters modulate the physiological stress response during and after moderate- and heavy-intensity exercises. Six healthy males participated in this randomized, double-blind, saxagliptin vs placebo crossover study. The volunteers performed an orthostatic test, a 30-min exercise at moderate intensity and a 15-min exercise at heavy intensity each followed by 50 min of recovery in two separate sessions with saxagliptin or placebo. Oxygen consumption (V̇O₂), ventilation and heart rate were continuously recorded. NE, epinephrine, NPY1-36 and NPY3-36 were quantified by tandem mass spectrometry. We found that exercise triggers NPY1-36 and NE secretion in an intensity-dependent manner and that NE returns faster to the baseline concentration than NPY1-36 after exercise. NPY3-36 rises during recovery parallel to the decline of NPY1-36. Saxagliptin reverses the NPY1-36/NPY3-36 ratio but does not affect hemodynamics, nor NPY1-36 and catecholamine concentrations. We found that NPY1-36 half-life is considerably shorter than previously established with immunoassays. NPY1-36 and NE secretions are finely regulated to prevent an excessive physiological Y1 stimulating response to submaximal exercise.

Effects of physical exercise in nasal volume

The nasal permeability has been demonstrated using several exams. Nasal structures produces a resistance to the nasal air flux that represents over 50% of the total respiratory resistance. Physical exercises is a factor that brings a vasoconstrictor effect over nasal mucosa.

AIMS

Evaluate the improvement degree of nasal volume after aerobic physical exercises and time to return to previous levels.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Nineteen healthy subjects were submitted to aerobic exercise in ergometric bike. The nasal volume was obtained by Acoustic Rhinometry performed in rest, after aerobic exercise, 10o and 20o minutes after the aerobic exercise.

RESULTS

Rhynometrics results shows a statically and significant increase of nasal volume (p<0,001). The nasal volume, in twenty minutes, returns nearby the rest levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Aerobic exercises, generally, increases the nasal volume. However, the increase of nasal volume was transitory, and occurs a major reduction of increase in the first ten minutes after the exercises ends, and perform a greater vasoconstrictor effect over nasal mucosa, Twenty minutes after the physical exercises finish, total nasal volume returns, closely, to the basal levels.

Evaluation of nasal volume by acoustic rhinometry before and after physical exercise

BACKGROUND

The nasal structures generate airflow resistance that can reach -50% of the total respiratory resistance. There are a series of factors that can alter the volume of these structures, among them physical exercise. The objective of this study was to determine the degree of changes in nasal volume at different levels of physical exercise, evaluating the influence of exercise intensity and duration, as well as the duration of the effect of exercise on the nasal mucosa.

METHODS

Nineteen individuals were submitted to three distinct physical tests on a cycle ergometer: test 1, exercising for 5 minutes on a cycle ergometer at 50% the maximal load; test 2, exercising for 10 minutes on a cycle ergometer at 50% the maximal load; and test 3, exercising for 5 minutes on a cycle ergometer at 75% the maximal load. In each test, nasal volume was measured by acoustic rhinometry immediately after the end of exercise and 10 and 20 minutes thereafter.

RESULTS

The rhinometry results showed a significant increase (p < 0.001) in nasal volume after physical exercise for all tests performed. At 20 minutes, nasal volume had returned close to resting levels in all three tests. Comparison of the degree of improvement of nasal volume between the three physical tests showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between T1 and T2 (T2 presented gain of 8.3% more in nasal volume than T1). Test 3 showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) compared with the other two tests, with 5.8% higher gain in nasal volume observed compared with T1, while the increase was 2.5% lower than in T2.

CONCLUSION

Physical exercise in general causes a significant increase in nasal volume, with the duration of exercise exerting a greater effect on the degree of improvement than intensity.

Efeito do exercício físico sobre o volume nasal

A variação da permeabilidade nasal tem sido demonstrada usando-se várias técnicas de exame. As estruturas nasais geram uma resistência que representa cerca de 50% da resistência respiratória total. O exercício físico é um dos fatores que pode causar um efeito vasoconstritor sobre a mucosa nasal. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o grau de mudança do volume nasal após exercício físico e o tempo de retorno aos níveis basais. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Dezenove indivíduos foram submetidos à realização de teste físico em bicicleta ergométrica. O volume nasal foi obtido através da rinometria acústica, realizada em repouso, após o fim do exercício físico, e nos minutos décimo e vigésimo de seu final. RESULTADOS: Os resultados rinométricos mostram um aumento estatisticamente significativo do volume nasal (p < 0,001). No vigésimo minuto o volume nasal estava próximo aos níveis de repouso. CONCLUSÃO: O exercício físico de modo geral aumenta significativamente o volume nasal. Entretanto, o aumento do volume nasal foi transitório, ocorrendo uma maior redução deste aumento nos primeiros dez minutos após o final do exercício. No vigésimo minuto após o fim do exercício físico, os valores do volume nasal retornam próximos aos valores de repouso.

Acoustic rhinometric evaluation of the nasal response to exercise in patients with nasal septal deviation

We aimed to investigate nasal response to exercise in patients with a nasal septal deviation. Acoustic rhinometric measurements of cross-sectional areas (CSA) at 3.3, 4.0, 6.4 cm from the nostril, and nasal volume (NV) were conducted in 10 patients. The consecutive measurements were undertaken just before and immediately after 10, 20, and 30 min of treadmill exercise. In the concave nasal cavities, NV and CSA at 3.3 cm and 6.4 cm from the nostril showed a significant increase in immediate post-exercise and 10-minute post-exercise measurements. At 4.0 cm from the nostril, a significant increase was sustained by 20 min after exercise. However, in convex nasal cavities, exercise did not result in a significant increase except for the immediate post-exercise measurement at 4 cm from the nostril. The results of this study indicated that, in nasal septal deviation, the mucosal response is more prominent in the concave nasal cavities than in the convex nasal cavities.