Self-report measures indicate that Yoga practices are perceived to reduce stress; however, molecular mechanisms through which YB affects stress are just beginning to be understood. While invasive sampling such as blood has been widely used to measure biological indicators such as pro-inflammatory biomarkers, the use of saliva to measure changes in various biomolecules has been increasingly recognized. As Yoga practice stimulates salivary secretion, and saliva is considered a source of biomarkers, changes in salivary cytokines before and after Yogic breathing exercise as specified in an ancient Tamil script, Thirumanthiram, were examined using a Cytokine Multiplex to compare to Attention Control (AC) group. Twenty healthy volunteers were randomized into two groups stratified by gender (N = 10 per YB and AC groups); The YB group performed two YB exercises, each for ten minutes, for a total of twenty minutes in a single session as directed by a trained Yoga instructor. The AC group read a text of their choice for 20 min. Saliva was collected immediately after YB training at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 min and analyzed by Multiplex enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, and monocyte chemotactic protein −1 (MCP-1) were significantly reduced in YB group when compared to AC group. The level of reduction of IL-8 was significant at all time points tested, whereas IL-1β showed reduction at 15 and 20 min time points (p < 0.05), and MCP-1 level was marginally different at 5–20 min. There were no significant differences between YB and AC groups in the salivary levels of IL-1RA, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IP-10, MIP-1b, and TNF-α. These data are the first to demonstrate the feasibility of detecting salivary cytokines using multiplex assay in response to a Yoga practice. This study was registered in Clinical Trials.gov # NCT02108769.

Nerve growth factor (NGF), a trophic factor involved in the development, maintenance, and survival of the peripheral nervous system and the cholinergic neurons of the central nervous system, is significantly reduced in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patients (Aloe et al., 2012). Particularly basal forebrain complex (BFC) neurons are highly affected in AD patients. NGF protects BFC neurons in experimental trauma models and in age-associated cholinergic decline. Therefore, administration of NGF is investigated as a therapeutic option for AD patients (Aloe et al., 2012). NGF therapy is limited by hyperalgesia, limited bioavailability, and use of invasive methods including intracranial injection of adeno-associated virus-based gene delivery vector, which constitutively expresses human NGF. In this context, non-pharmacological modes of treatment such as meditation and Yoga have been considered as alternative approaches to treat neurological disorders. Yogic breathing (YB, also called Pranayama) is a collection of techniques to regulate breathing voluntarily. YB induces a strong relaxation response via vagal and parasympathetic stimulation (Jerath et al., 2006). Such responses are causally linked to rapid changes in gene expression, particularly to those genes controlling stress, inflammation, and metabolism. Saliva is a known source of NGF, and incidentally, Yoga and relaxation stimulate salivation. Saliva (0.75–1.5 L/day in humans) contains numerous biologically active molecules to be potentially useful as diagnostic markers and as therapeutic clues. Salivary secretion regulates the digestive, nervous, immune, and respiratory systems. We conducted a pilot study to investigate whether YB could potentially stimulate salivary expression of NGF in cognitively normal healthy volunteers. This could serve as a model for future studies in AD patients.

The myocardium responds to hemodynamic stress through cellular growth and organ hypertrophy. The impact of cytoskeletal elements on this process, however, is not fully understood. While α-actin in cardiomyocytes governs muscle contraction in combination with the myosin motor, the exact role of β-actin has not been established. We hypothesized that in adult cardiomyocytes, as in non-myocytes, β-actin can facilitate cytoskeletal rearrangement within cytoskeletal structures such as Z-discs. Using a feline right ventricular pressure overload (RVPO) model, we measured the level and distribution of β-actin in normal and pressure overloaded myocardium. Resulting data demonstrated enriched levels of β-actin and enhanced translocation to the Triton-insoluble cytoskeletal and membrane skeletal complexes. In addition, RVPO in vivo and in vitro hypertrophic stimulation with endothelin (ET) or insulin in isolated adult cardiomyocytes enhanced the content of polymerized fraction (F-actin) of β-actin. To determine the localization and dynamics of β-actin, we adenovirally expressed GFP-tagged β-actin in isolated adult cardiomyocytes. The ectopically expressed β-actin-GFP localized to the Z-discs, costameres, and cell termini. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) measurements of β-actin dynamics revealed that β-actin at the Z-discs is constantly being exchanged with β-actin from cytoplasmic pools and that this exchange is faster upon hypertrophic stimulation with ET or insulin. In addition, in electrically stimulated isolated adult cardiomyocytes, while β-actin overexpression improved cardiomyocyte contractility, immunoneutralization of β-actin resulted in a reduced contractility suggesting that β-actin could be important for the contractile function of adult cardiomyocytes. These studies demonstrate the presence and dynamics of β-actin in the adult cardiomyocyte and reinforce its usefulness in measuring cardiac cytoskeletal rearrangement during hypertrophic stimulation.

Yogic breathing (YB) has been suggested to reduce stress and blood pressure and increase cognitive processes. However, alterations after YB at the molecular level are not well established. Twenty healthy volunteers were randomized into two groups (N=10per group): YB or attention controls (AC). The YB group performed two YB exercises, each for ten minutes, for a total of twenty minutes in a single session. AC group read a text of their choice for 20 minutes. Saliva was collected at baseline and at 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes. Using Mass Spectrometry (MS), we initially found that 22 proteins were differentially expressed and then validated deleted in malignant brain tumor-1 (DMBT1) and Ig lambda-2 chain C region (IGLC2) using Western Blotting. DMBT1 was elevated in 7 of YB group by 10-fold and 11-fold at 10 and 15 minutes, respectively, whereas it was undetectable in the time-matched AC group (P<0.05). There was a significant interaction between groups and time assessed by two-way ANOVA (P<0.001). IGLC2 also showed a significant increase in YB group as measured by Western Blotting. These data are the first to demonstrate the feasibility of stimulating and detecting salivary protein biomarkers in response to an acute Yoga exercise. This trial is registered with ClincalTrials.govNCT02108769.

Complementary and integrative health approaches with a focus on relieving side effects of cancer treatment are popular among cancer patients. Previous studies have investigated the combined effects of yoga postures, breathing, and meditation, but the specific effects of the breathing component are under-reported. Our previous studies indicate that yogic breathing can improve salivary biomarker expression related to stress, immune response, and tumor suppression. We aim to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a yogic breathing program in cancer patients and caregivers during the treatment period. In this quality improvement study, we designed a 20-minute yogic breathing regimen and introduced them to all-site cancer patients and their caregivers during the cancer treatment period at a lodging facility, Hope Lodge in Charleston, SC. All interested participants were included as there were no eligibility criteria set for the study. The availability of the class was advertised via intercom, displays, and word of mouth. Participants were taught five different breathing exercises, and after completion of the exercises in a single session, a self-reported quality improvement questionnaire was administered assessing sociodemographic/clinical factors, expectations about the session, and ratings of satisfaction with the session. During the nine months of the data collection period, 52 participants provided feedback of which patients and caregivers were almost equal numbers. Participants' perception of intervention acceptance, symptom management, satisfaction with the sessions, and future needs for practice indicate that the yogic breathing sessions help improve some of the key symptoms of cancer experience such as stress. Findings indicate that yogic breathing is acceptable to patients and caregivers and may help alleviate some of the side effects resulting from cancer treatment, and the intervention is feasible at lodging facilities during treatment. Currently, the yogic breathing sessions are conducted on a weekly basis by Hope Lodge volunteers trained by the study team.

Objective: We evaluated components of an integrated, mobile health-based intervention “Activate for Life” (AFL) on health outcomes in lower-income older adults (≥ 60 years). Methods: AFL incorporates balance (Otago; OG), physical strength (Gentle Yoga and yogic Breathing; GYYB), and mental engagement (Behavioral Activation; BA) components. Thirty participants were randomly allocated to one of three study arms (n=10): OG (Arm 1), OG+GYYB (Arm 2), or OG+GYYB+BA (Arm 3; a.k.a. “full AFL”). Participants were evaluated for physical, functional, and physiological endpoints at baseline and post-intervention (12-weeks and/or 3-month follow up). Results: Improvements in pain interference and 1,5- anhydroglucitol biomarker levels over time were noted for all arms. No significant changes were observed for other physical, functional, or physiological measures. Discussion. This study illustrates potential benefits of the AFL intervention on the health of lower-income older adults. Lessons learned from this pilot trial will inform design improvements for a large-scale randomized controlled trial. Keywords: Aging; Pain; Fatigue; Intervention; Physical activity; Low income; Mobile health