Abstract
Classical massage is one of the most popular forms of conservative treatment in various diseases. Despite the wide scope of research, the mechanisms of massage are not fully known and understood. Apart from the well-described effects on individual body systems, there are few scientific reports on the effects of massage on the human body at the subcellular level. The study was designed to assess changes in oxidative stress parameters in healthy volunteers after a single session of classical massage. 29 healthy volunteers aged 22.24 ± 3.64 participated in the study. Before and 30 minutes after the massage procedures, blood samples were taken by experienced personnel. Biochemical markers of oxidative homeostasis were assessed with highly specific methods for each parameter: oxidase ceruloplasmin, glutathione, malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and superoxide dismutase. The study demonstrates that massage therapy caused statistically significant decrease in the concentration of glutathione peroxidase (red blood cells) and increase in the level of glutathione peroxidase (plasma), superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde. In contrast, statistically significant changes in the hematocrit, glutathione, NO2-/NO3-, and oxidase ceruloplasmin were not observed. The results show that complex influence of classical massage therapy on human organism may be reflected in parameters of the oxidative stress. To understand this mechanism clearly, further research is needed.
Highlights
Oxygen is involved in many metabolic processes
reactive oxygen species (ROS) react with cell elements which may lead to changes in the cell structure and numerous damages
The study group consisted of 29 healthy people (15 females and 14 males) mean age 22:24 ± 3:64 years, with no health conditions
Summary
Oxygen is involved in many metabolic processes. It plays a role of an oxidant. The human body may be exposed to numerous environmental factors, such as unhealthy food, alcohol, cigarette smoke, medications, stimulants, air pollution, and pathogenic microorganisms, which may provoke generation of various oxygen forms in the organism [10] Every prohealth initiative such as physical activity, optimal diet, and physiotherapy may decrease the risk of free radical-related diseases. Literature frequently describes a decrease in cortisol levels, changes in blood parameters, or an increase in dopamine levels, which has a positive effect on the patient’s well-being [16, 17] This is explained by the fact that the mechanical stimulus changes the activity of the vagus nerve, putting the patient in a parasympathetic state leading to a regeneration reaction. The given study is aimed at assessing the human early antioxidative response to the single classical massage session [11, 19]
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