Effects of physical exercise on serum levels of serotonin and its metabolite in fibromyalgia: a randomized pilot study.

To evaluate the effects of aerobic training and stretching on serum levels of serotonin (5HT) and its main metabolite 5-hydroxindolacetic acid (5HIAA). Twenty-two women with FM were randomized into one of two exercise modalities (aerobic walking exercise or stretching exercise) to be accomplished three times a week for 20 weeks. The serum levels of 5HT and 5HIAA were evaluated before and after the exercise program by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with colorimetric detection. Within group analysis (pre-post) showed that serum levels of both 5HT and 5HIAA changed significantly in the aerobic group during the 20-week course of therapy (5HT: P = 0,03; 5HIAA: P = 0,003). In the stretching group, however, no statistically significant change was observed (5HT: P=0,491; 5HIAA: P=0,549). Between group statistical comparisons of laboratory measures disclosed that aerobic training was superior to stretching in that it significantly increased the levels of 5HIAA (F test = 6.61; P = 0.01), but the average difference between groups on the levels of 5HT did not meet significance criteria (F test = 3.42; P = 0.08). Aerobic training increases the 5HIAA and 5HT levels and it could explain why aerobic exercise can improve symptoms in fibromyalgia syndrome patient more than stretching exercise.

Síndrome carcinoide: relato de caso / Carcinoid syndrome: case report

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O tumor carcinoide é uma neoplasia rara, com prevalência de apenas 2,47 a 4,48 casos para cada 100.000 habitantes/ano, sendo a síndrome carcinoide ainda mais rara, estando presente em apenas 5% a 7% dessas neoplasias.Na imensa maioria das vezes, só se detecta o tumor quandoo paciente já apresenta sintomas da síndrome, tais como: flushing, diarreia, dor abdominal, telangiectasia, alterações cardíacas, broncoespasmo e pelagra. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de alertar para se incluir a suspeita de síndrome carcinoide como diagnóstico diferencial com outras condições que podem se apresentar com sintomas similares, como climatério, feocromocitoma, anafilaxia, uso de certos medicamentos, ingestão alcoólica e até mesmo a febre. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo feminino, 42 anos, apresenta há seis anos quadro de flushing na face, pescoço, tronco e membros superiores, evoluindo com eritema telangectásico e há um ano diarreia. Suspeitou-se de síndrome carcinoide, que se confirmou por meio da dosagem do ácido 5-hidroxindolacético na urina de 24h. A investigação prosseguiu com colonoscopia em que se encontrou lesão tumoral em íleo terminal, cuja histopatologia confirmou tumor carcinoide. Foi realizado tratamento com doses mensais de análogos da somatostatina de ação prolongada e programada cirurgia de ressecção tumoral. CONCLUSÃO: A síndrome carcinoide é uma manifestação rara e tardia do tumor, mas é fundamental que o clínico saiba identificá-la, pois apesar do prognóstico já ser desfavorável nessa fase, é possível ainda proporcionar melhor qualidade de vida ao paciente, com bom controle dos sintomas.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Carcinoid tumors are rare with a prevalence of only 2.47 to 4.48 cases per 100.000 inhabitants/year and the carcinoid syndrome is even rarer, present in 5% to 7% of the cases. In most patients, the neoplasm is detectedonly when the syndrome symptoms turn evident - flushing, diarrhea, abdominal pain, telangiectasia, cardiac manifestations, bronchospasm and pellagra. This case report objective was to alert for the importance of including carcinoid syndrome as a differential diagnosis of other conditions that could present similar symptoms like climacterium, pheochromocytoma, anaphylaxis, use of some medications, alcohol ingestion and also fever. CASE REPORT: Female patient, 42 years, has been presentingfor six years flushing episodes on face, neck, trunk and arms.Lately, could be observed telangiectasia and diarrhea. Carcinoid syndrome was suspected and the measurement of 24 hour urine5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid confirmed the diagnosis. The investigation proceeded with a colonoscopy which evidenced a tumoral lesion on the terminal ileum and the histopathology confirmed carcinoid tumor. Treatment was based on mensal doses of longacting somatostatin analogue for posterior tumor resection. CONCLUSION: Carcinoid syndrome is a rare and late tumor manifestation but it is fundamental for the clinician to knowhow to identify the symptoms because although the prognosisis already disfavorable at this stage, it is still possible to providequality of life and good symptoms control.