Effects of meditation compared to music listening on biomarkers in breast cancer survivors with cognitive complaints: secondary outcomes of a pilot randomized control trial

CONTEXT

We previously reported positive behavioral effects of both daily mantra meditation and classical music listening interventions in breast cancer survivors with cancer related cognitive complaints.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this pilot study was to compare the effects of the meditation intervention to a music listening intervention on biomarkers of inflammation and cellular aging (secondary outcomes) in breast cancer survivors.

DESIGN

Randomized control trial, baseline data collection (time 1), post intervention data collection (time 2) SETTING: Community-based, Central Texas PARTICIPANTS: 25 breast cancer survivors (BCS) who were 3 months to 6 years post chemotherapy completion and reported cognitive changes.

INTERVENTION(S)

Kirtan Kriya meditation (KK) or classical music listening (ML), 8 weeks, 12 min a day MAIN OUTCOME: Telomerase activity [TA], c-reactive protein [CRP], soluble IL-2 receptor alpha [sIL-2Rα], soluble IL-4 receptor [sIL-4R], soluble IL-6 receptor [sIL-6R], soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II [sTNF-RII], VEGF receptor 2 [sVEGF-R2], and VEGF receptor 3 [sVEGF-R3] RESULTS: Repeated measures analysis of variance models were analyzed from time 1 to time 2 by group for each biomarker. A pattern of greater telomerase activity across time in both groups (F (1,15) = 3.98, p = .06, ω2 = 0.04); significant decreases in sIL-4R across time for both groups (F (1,22) = 6.28, p = .02, ω2 = .003); group*time effect was nominally different but not statistically different for sIL-4R (F(1,22) = 3.82, p = .06, ω2 = .001); and a pattern for a group*time effect with ML group showing higher levels of sVEGF-R3 at time 2 (F (1,20) = 2.59, p = .12, ω2 = .009). No significant effects were found for CRP, sIL-2Rα, sIL-6R, sTNF-RII, or sVEGF-R2.

Polymorphisms of interleukin 4 and interleukin 4 receptor genes and bronchial asthma risk among Egyptian children

BACKGROUND

Interleukin 4 (IL4) is a key cytokine that regulates the inflammatory cascade in bronchial asthma. We investigated the association between the IL4 and IL4R polymorphisms and the susceptibility for bronchial asthma among Egyptian children.

METHODS

IL4 VNTR and IL4R c.1902 A>G p.(Q576R) polymorphisms were investigated among 100 children with bronchial asthma and 100 healthy controls using PCR method. Serum levels of IL4 and immunoglobulin E (IgE) were assessed by ELISA.

RESULTS

The frequencies of (A1A2 + A2A2) genotypes and A2-allele of the IL4 VNTR variant were significantly higher among asthmatic patients than controls (p = 0.01, OR = 2.34, 95% CI = 1.24-4.44; p = 0.01, OR = 2.27, 95% CI = 1.29-3.99, respectively). The frequencies of (AG + GG) genotypes and G-allele of the IL4R (A1902G) variant were significantly higher among asthmatic patients than controls (p = 0.003, OR = 2.52, 95% CI = 1.39-4.58; p = 0.002, OR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.35-3.76, respectively). There was a significant association between (A1A2 + A2A2) genotypes of the IL4 VNTR variant and high serum IL4 level among asthmatic patients (p < 0.001). The (AG + GG) genotypes of the IL4R (A1902G) variant were significantly associated with exposure to triggers, atopic dermatitis and higher serum IgE level in asthmatic patients (p = 0.02, 0.04 and 0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSION

IL4 VNTR and IL4R (A1902G) polymorphisms could be associated with higher risks of bronchial asthma among Egyptian children.

Bronchoalveolar lavage cell profiles and proteins concentrations can be used to phenotype extrinsic allergic alveolitis patients

Background

Extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA) patients form heterogenous group with different clinical manifestation and different prognosis. We aimed to determine how to phenotype distinct EAA subgroups. Predictive role of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) IL-4Rα concentration at the time of diagnosis with regard to the clinical behavior in EAA patients was studied.

Methods

Concentrations of MMP-7, IL-4Rα, TNF-α, and PAR-2 were measured in the BALF od 71 EAA patients at the time of diagnosis. Lung functions and outcome data were assessed at 12 months after the diagnosis. Correlations between the BALF protein concentration, cell profile, lung functions and patient outcome were determined.

Results

We found positive correlations between BALF IL-4Rα concentration and BALF eosinophils (p = 0,006), negative correlation between IL-4Rα BALF concentration and diffusing capacity (DLco) (p = 0,003), negative correlation between IL-4Rα BALF concentration and forced vital capacity (FVC) (p = 0,004) and negative correlation between IL-4Rα concentration and BALF lymphocytes (p = 0,04). The BALF concentration of IL-4Rα was significantly higher in acute exacerbation patients (p = 0,0032) and in patients progressing despite corticosteroid treatment (p = 0,04). We observed a positive correlation between MMP-7 BALF concentration and the BALF lymphocytes (p = 0.05), negative correlation between the PAR-2 BALF concentration and DLco (p = 0.04) and a negative correlation between the BALF TNF-α concentration and DLco (p = 0.03).

Conclusions

Specific subgroup of EAA patients with more severe functional impact, distinct BALF cell profile and higher IL-4Rα BALF concentration can be differentiated. Correlations between the BALF concentrations of PAR-2, MMP-7 and TNF-α with clinical parameters may reflect the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of EAA.

Polymorphisms in the interleukin 4, interleukin 4 receptor and interleukin 13 genes and allergic phenotype: A case control study

PURPOSE

Interleukin 4 (IL4), interleukin 4 receptor (IL4R) and interleukin 13 (IL13) play a key role in the pathogenesis of allergy and asthma development. IL4 and IL13 strongly influence bronchial hyperreactivity in response to allergen, airway remodeling, airway inflammation and airway smooth muscle proliferation. Both IL4 and IL13 exert biologic effect via interleukin 4 receptor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the polymorphisms within interleukin 4 (rs2243250, rs2227284), interleukin 4 receptor α chain (rs1805010, rs1805011) and interleukin 13 (rs20541) genes on the incidence of allergic phenotype in Polish pediatric population.

MATERIAL/METHODS

We compared 177 asthmatic pediatric patients with 194 healthy children. Five polymorphisms within IL4, IL13 and IL4Rα genes were analyzed. Genotypes of four polymorphisms (rs2243250, rs2227284, rs1805011, rs20541) were assigned by TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays (Applied Biosystems), whereas rs18050100 polymorphism was established using PCR-RFLP method.

RESULTS

We observed an association of rs1805011 polymorphism of IL4Rα gene with allergy (p=0.021), mild asthma (p=0.00005) and atopic dermatitis (p=0.0056). Significant correlation was found between rs20541 in IL-13 gene and the positive skin prick test results (p=0.029), along with rs2243250 polymorphism with clinical atopy (p=0.033) and rs2227284 with total IgE levels (p=0.00047). No associations were found for rs1805010.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that rs1805011 polymorphism of IL4Rα gene seems to influence allergy risk, especially mild asthma and atopic dermatitis predisposition in Polish children. Subgroup analysis of three other SNPs revealed possible influence on allergy development.