Auto-immune diseases are characterized by an inappropriate inflammatory response against tissues in the body and represent a major health care burden. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β play a central role in the pathophysiology of many auto-immune diseases. Innovative therapies aimed at limiting pro-inflammatory cytokine production in a more physiological manner are warranted. In previous research conducted in an individual known as "the iceman", the investigators found that, through a autodidact concentration/meditation technique, he appears to mount a controlled stress response, characterized by activation of the sympathetic nervous system and enhanced production of cortisol, both of which are known to result in immunosuppression. In accordance, while practicing this concentration/meditation technique, the inflammatory response during human endotoxemia (lipopolysaccharide \[LPS\] administration) was remarkably low in this individual. Therefore, this technique could provide a novel means of controlling the inflammatory response. However, the aforementioned results were obtained in just one subject, and hence can not serve as scientific evidence for the effectiveness of the concentration/meditation technique. The iceman claims that he can teach this technique to other subjects within a relatively short time frame. Therefore, in the present study the investigators wish to investigate the effect of concentration/meditation on autonomic nervous system activity and the inflammatory response during experimental human endotoxemia in a controlled manner, by comparing a group of subjects that are trained by "the iceman" and practice the concentration/meditation technique with a group of subjects which do not.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
LPS is used to elicit an inflammatory response in all subjects.
A self-taught concentration/meditation technique that Mr Wim Hof developed himself, characterized by cycles consisting of a few minutes of hyperventilation followed by breath holding for up to 1-2 minutes and deep concentration (mindset).
Intensive Care Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre
Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands
Concentration of circulating TNF-α following LPS administration
Time frame: 1 day
Circulating cytokines (including but not limited to IL-6, IL-10 and IL1RA), following LPS administration.
Time frame: 1 day
Body temperature after LPS administration
Time frame: 1 day
Hemodynamic parameters after LPS administration
Blood pressure, heart rate, saturation, respiratory rate.
Time frame: 1 day
Plasma cortisol levels after LPS administration
Time frame: 1 day
Plasma catecholamines levels after LPS administration
Time frame: 1 day
Heart Rate Variability following LPS administration
Time frame: 1 day
mtDNA concentrations following LPS administration
Time frame: 1 day
Transcriptome analysis of circulating leukocytes after LPS administration
Time frame: 1 day
Cytokine production by leukocytes ex vivo stimulated with LPS after LPS administration
Time frame: 1 day
Changes in cell surface markers and functionality of circulating neutrophils after LPS administration
Time frame: 1 day
effects of gut microbiome on inflammatory response elicited by LPS administration
Time frame: 1 day
Ethylene and NO concentrations in exhaled breath after LPS administration
Time frame: 1 day
Electrolyte concentrations in blood after concentration/meditation during endotoxemia
Time frame: 1 day
Cortisol concentration in scalp hair
Time frame: 1 measurement 3 weeks after LPS administration
Leukocyte counts and differentiation after LPS administration
Time frame: 1 day
Illness symptoms after LPS administration
shivering, headache, back ache, muscle ache, vomiting.
Time frame: 1 day
Blood viscosity after LPS administration
Time frame: 1 day
Platelet-leukocyte interactions after LPS administration
flow cytometric analysis of complexes between platelets on the one hand and monocytes, lymphocytes and neutrophils on the other hand.
Time frame: 1 day
beta-2 glycoprotein concentrations after LPS administration
Time frame: 1 day
cell surface markers on circulating leukocytes after LPS administration
Time frame: 1 day
Plasma endorphin levels after LPS administration
Time frame: 1 day
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