Qi-training (qigong) enhanced immune functions: what is the underlying mechanism?
The authors observed that Qi-training enhances immune function and modulates neurohormone concentrations. The exact signal and priming mechanism for enhanced neutrophil function by Qi-training has not yet been demonstrated. This study investigated the effect of Qi-training on intracellular signaling leading to the enhancement of immune function. The growth hormone (GH) concentrations and O2- production by neutrophils (PMNs) was significantly increased after 1 h of Qi-training compared with the basal state. To verify that endogenous GH mediates the priming of PMNs, serum obtained from elderly subjects in the basal state and after Qi-training was incubated with neutrophils isolated from young subjects for 60 min and triggered with N-formyl-1-methionyl-1-leucyl-1-phenylalanine (fMLP). Significant O2- production was observed in the PMNs incubated with serum collected after a Qi-training (p < .05). On the other hand, the priming effect on the PMNs was abolished in Qi-training sera depleted of endogenous GH with anti-human GH polyclonal antibody (p < .01) and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein (p < .01). The authors suggest that the endogenous GH released during and immediately after Qi-training mediates the priming events through tyrosine kinase activation in PMNs.
Lee
Myeong Soo
MS
Center for Integrative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Republic of Korea. integmed@chol.com
Kim
Mo Kyung
MK
Ryu
Hoon
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D019833:Genistein / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D006293:Health Promotion; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine; D019833:Genistein; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases