Juan M. Manzaneque

Subjective Sleep Quality and hormonal modulation in long-term yoga practitioners

Yoga represents a fascinating mind-body approach, wherein body movements (asana), breathing exercises (pranayama) and meditation are integrated into a single multidimensional practice. Numerous beneficial mental and physical effects have been classically ascribed to this holistic ancient method. The purpose of the present study has been to examine the effects of long-term yoga practice on Subjective Sleep Quality (SSQ) and on several hormonal parameters of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Twenty-six subjects (16 experimental and 10 controls) were recruited to be part of the study. Experimental subjects were regular yoga practitioners with a minimum of 3 years of practice. Blood samples for the quantification of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) were drawn from all subjects. Likewise, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was employed to assess SSQ. As statistical analysis, Mann-Whitney U-test was performed. The yoga group displayed lower PSQI scores and higher blood cortisol levels than control subjects. Therefore, it can be concluded that long-term yoga practice is associated with significant psycho-biological differences, including better sleep quality as well as a modulatory action on the levels of cortisol. These preliminary results suggest interesting clinical implications which should be further researched.

Serum Cytokines, Mood and Sleep after a Qigong Program Is Qigong an Effective Psychobiological Tool?

Qigong is an ancient Chinese psychosomatic exercise that integrates movement, breathing and meditation into a single multifaceted practice. The present study was designed to assess the effects of qigong practice on serum cytokines, mood and subjective sleep quality. Experimental participants underwent a qigong training program for one month. Blood samples for the quantification of TNF-α and IFN-γ, and several instruments to assess anxiety and depression symptoms as well as SSQ, were obtained before and after the program. Our findings revealed that while the practice of qigong for one month did not alter serum cytokines, it enhanced psychological well-being, including sleep duration.

Effect of low doses of clozapine on behaviour of isolated and group-housed male mice in the elevated plus-maze test

Clozapine is effective over a low and narrow dose range in the treatment of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Its efficacy is said to reflect an anxiolytic property of the neuroleptic. This study examined the effects of a low dose range of clozapine (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg) administered to isolated (7 days) and group-housed male mice on their behaviour in the elevated plus-maze. The results using this model of anxiety showed no dose-dependent effect on behaviour after treatment with low doses of clozapine. Some doses (0.1 and 0.4 mg/kg), however, reduced the duration and frequency of open arm entries compared to control-treated mice in the group-housed animals. This might indicate a slight anxiogenic effect. Support for this view is provided by some of the ethological measures, particularly head-dipping (HD). Seven days of isolation did not alter the main anxiety indices in controls. Nevertheless, some measures (e.g. closed entries and duration in the closed arm) were modified by the clozapine treatment (0.2 mg/kg) in a manner suggesting a mild anxiogenic action. The effects of the drug in individually and group-housed male mice were certainly different.

Acute and Subchronic Effects of Tiapride on Isolation-Induced Aggression in Male Mice

Although the antiaggressive properties of several atypical neuroleptics are known, the actions of tiapride (a selective dopaminergic D2-receptor antagonist) on agonistic behavior have not been explored and there are no studies comparing acute and subchronic effects of this compound on aggression in rodents. In this work, the effects of tiapride (20–100 mg/kg, IP), administered acutely or subchronically for 10 days, on agonistic behaviour elicited by isolation in male mice were examined. Individually housed mice were exposed to anosmic “standard opponents” 30 min after drug administration, and the encounters were videotaped and evaluated using an ethologically based analysis. Tiapride decreased time spent in offenssive behaviors significantly, without an impairment of motor activity (60 and 80 mg/kg). Moreover, no tolerance to tiapride antiaggressive activity was observed after repeated administration of the drug. On the contrary, the action on immobility showed a clear tolerance development with repeated injections (100 mg/kg). The divergence found in the temporal course of tolerance to tiapride in its antiaggressive and motor effects is discussed.

TIAPRIDE-INDUCED CATALEPSY IS POTENTIATED BY GAMMA-HYDROXYBUTYRIC ACID ADMINISTRATION

1. The effect of administration of gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB) and tiapride, either alone or in combination, on catalepsy behavior was examined in male mice. 2. Catalepsy was measured by bar and grid tests. Two successive evaluations were carried out 30 and 60 min after injections. 3. Tiapride (175 and 200 mg/kg) and gammahydroxybutyrate (200 mg/kg) provoked an increase of catalepsy scores, exhibiting different time courses. GHB produced a marked but short lasting catalepsy with a peak of action at 30 min, while tiapride produced a catalepsy state with a peak of action at 60 min. 4. Tiapride-induced catalepsy was potentiated by gammahydroxybutyrate administration at 30 min (bar test) and 60 min (bar and grid tests). 5. These results underlie the view that GHB interacts with central dopamine D2 transmission.

Endocrine Modulation in Long-Term Karate Practitioners

Purpose Karate is a martial arts discipline which is widely practiced in the Western world as a form of self-defense, as well as a discipline to achieve physical and mental balance. However, little is known with respect to its specific psychobiological effects, particularly in relation to the influence that it may exert on the endocrine system. Thus, in the present study, we examined the effects of karate on several hormonal parameters of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid axes in long-time practitioners. Methods Twenty-two healthy volunteer subjects (12 experimental and 10 controls) participated in the study. Experimental subjects were karate players with a minimum of 3 years of practice in this discipline. Blood samples for the quantification of hormonal parameters were taken in both groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was performed for each variable in order to analyze the differences between groups. Results Statistically significant differences were found in cortisol and thyroid hormones, with the karate group showing lower levels of these hormones as compared to control. Conclusions These findings, therefore, reveal that long-term karate practice is associated with a significant endocrine modulation, which suggests interesting psychobiological and clinical implications. Further research is needed to verify these preliminary results, as well as properly assessing its possible use as a psychosomatic intervention tool.

Immunological Modulation in Long-Term Karate Practitioners

Karate is a Japanese martial arts system with potential physical and psychological benefits. However, karate has been scarcely investigated from a psychobiological perspective, and its effects on the immune system remain virtually unknown. We designed the present study with the aim of analyzing the effects of karate practice on immunological parameters. 27 healthy male volunteer subjects participated in the study, 15 in the experimental group and 12 in the control. Experimental subjects were all karate players who had practiced this martial art for a minimum of three years attending regular lessons at a karate training center, in the evening, two to three days per week. Blood samples for the quantification of immunological parameters (total leukocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, IgG, IgA, and IgM) were taken in both groups. A t-test for independent groups was performed in each dependent variable; a value of p<0.05 was considered to be significant. Karate practitioners exhibited a significantly higher number of total leukocytes (p<0.02), monocytes (p<0.01), and lymphocytes (p<0.01), a higher percentage of monocytes (p<0.01), and greater serum concentrations of IgG (p<0.02) and IgM (p<0.01). Our findings show that long-term karate practice is related to a broad modulation of immune parameters, including total and specific leukocyte counts, as well as immunoglobulin concentrations. This peculiar immunomodulatory profile, apart from its psychobiological relevance, may have noteworthy clinical implications.