OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Neiguan" (PC 6) on heart rate (HR) and plasma catecholamine (CA) levels in ventricular tachycardia (VT) rats. METHODS: A total of 50 SD rats were randomly divided into normal control, sham-operation (sham), model, EA-PC 6 and EA-LU 7 groups, with 10 cases in each. VT model was established by intravenous injection of cesium chloride (CsCl) via femoral vein. Electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded. EA (2 Hz/15 Hz, 1 mA) was separately applied to bilateral "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Lieque" (LU 7) for 5 minutes, followed by collecting blood samples for detecting plasma norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) levels with fluorometric method. RESULTS: In comparison with normal control group, plasma NE and E contents in model group increased apparently (P < 0.01). Compared with model group, HR and plasma NE and E contents of EA-PC 6 group reduced significantly (P < 0.01), while those of EA-LU 7 had no apparent change (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA of "Neiguan" (PC 6) can downregulate heart rate and plasma CA level in VT rats, which may contribute to its effect in relieving tachycardia.

We investigated the effects of fragrance inhalation on sympathetic activity in normal adult subjects using both power spectral analysis of blood pressure fluctuations and measurement of plasma catecholamine levels. Fragrance inhalation of essential oils, such as pepper oil, estragon oil, fennel oil or grapefruit oil, resulted in 1.5- to 2.5-fold increase in relative sympathetic activity, representing low frequency amplitude of systolic blood pressure (SBP-LF amplitude), compared with inhalation of an odorless solvent, triethyl citrate (P<0.05, each). In contrast, fragrance inhalation of rose oil or patchouli oil caused a 40% decrease in relative sympathetic activity (P<0.01, each). Fragrance inhalation of pepper oil induced a 1.7-fold increase in plasma adrenaline concentration compared with the resting state (P = 0.06), while fragrance inhalation of rose oil caused a 30% decrease in adrenaline concentration (P<0.01). Our results indicate that fragrance inhalation of essential oils may modulate sympathetic activity in normal adults.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify effects of the SP-6 acupressure on dysmenorrhea, and level of cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine in the college students. METHOD: Data were collected from May 1 to August 31, 2002. A total of 58 students from two universities participated in the study. Both groups were pretested before the intervention for three variables, the intensity of dysmenorrhea, level of cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine. Then, SP-6 acupressure was provided for 20 minutes for students in the experimental group. The instruments used in this study included the Visual Analogue Scale developed by Johnson(1974), Menstrual Attitudes Questionnaire Scale developed by Brooks-Gunn&Ruble(1980), and Stress scale developed by Cheun and Kim(1990). RESULT: There were statistically significant differences in the intensity of dysmenorrhea at the time immediately after, 30 minutes after, one hour after, and two hours after the intervention. The experimental group had a lower intensity than the control group. There was a statistically significant difference in level of norepinephrine at the time 30 minutes after the intervention with the experimental group. CONCLUSION: The SP-6 acupressure reduced the subjective perception of dysmenorrhea and the levels of norepinephrine. It was found out that the lasting period of 20 minutes of the SP-6 acupressure was two hours for college students.

Twenty-nine gay men (20 HIV+, 9 HIV-) received daily massages for one month. A subset of 11 of the HIV+ subjects served as a within subject control group (one month with and without massages). Major immune findings for the effects of the month of massage included a significant increase in Natural Killer Cell number, Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxicity, soluble CD8, and the cytotoxic subset of CD8 cells. There were no changes in HIV disease progression markers (CD4, CD4/CD8 ratio, Beta-2 microglobulin, neopterin). Major neuroendocrine findings, measured via 24 hour urines included a significant decrease in cortisol, and nonsignificant trends toward decrease of catecholamines. There were also significant decreases in anxiety and increases in relaxation which were significantly correlated with increases in NK cell number. Thus, there appears to be an increase in cytotoxic capacity associated with massage. Implications for HIV+ men as those with other illnesses, particularly cancer, are discussed.

This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of Qigong as a non-pharmacological treatment of hypertension and evaluate the contribution of Qigong in the blood pressure (BP) reduction of essential hypertension patients. Fifty-eight patients volunteered to participate in this study and were randomly divided into either a Qigong group (n = 29), or a wait list control group (n = 29). In response to 10 weeks of Qigong, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and rate pressure product (RPP) were decreased significantly. There was a significant reduction of norepinephrine, epinephrine, cortisol, and stress level by the Qigong. These results suggest that Qigong may reduce BP and catecholamines via stabilizing the sympathetic nervous system. Therefore, Qigong is an effective nonpharmacological modality to reduce BP in essential hypertensive patients.

The effects of vitamin C supplementation on the alterations in the circulating concentrations of cortisol, adrenaline, interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) which accompany ultramarathon running were measured using immuno-chemiluminescence, radioimmunoassay and ELISA procedures. Forty-five participants in the 1999 Comrades 90 km marathon were divided into equal groups (n = 15) receiving 500 mg/day Vit C (VC-500), 1500 mg/day Vit C (VC-1500) or placebo (P) for 7 days before the race, on the day of the race, and for 2 days following completion. Runners recorded dietary intake before, during and after the race and provided 35 ml blood samples 15 - 18 hrs before the race, immediately post-race, 24 hrs post race and 48 hrs post-race. Twenty-nine runners (VC-1500, n = 12; VC-500, n = 10; P, n = 7) complied with all study requirements. All post-race concentrations were adjusted for plasma volume changes. Analyses of dietary intakes and blood glucose and anti-oxidant status on the day preceding the race and the day of the race did not reveal that carbohydrate intake or plasma vitamins E and A were significant confounders in the study. Mean pre-race concentrations of serum vitamin C in VC-500 and VC-1500 groups (128 +/- 31 and 153 +/- 34 micromol/l) were significantly higher than in the P group (83 +/- 39 micromol/l). Immediate post-race serum cortisol was significantly lower in the VC-1500 group (p < 0.05) than in P and VC-500 groups. When the data from VC-500 and P groups was combined (n = 17), immediate post-race plasma adrenaline, IL-10 and IL-1Ra concentrations were also significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the VC-1500 group. The study demonstrates an attenuation, albeit transient, of both the adrenal stress hormone and anti-inflammatory polypeptide response to prolonged exercise in runners who supplemented with 1500 mg vitamin C per day when compared to < or = 500 mg per day.