Qi-training (qigong) enhanced immune functions: what is the underlying mechanism?
Abstract
The authors observed that Qi-training enhances immune function and modulates neurohormone concentrations. The exact signal and priming mechanism for enhanced neutrophil function by Qi-training has not yet been demonstrated. This study investigated the effect of Qi-training on intracellular signaling leading to the enhancement of immune function. The growth hormone (GH) concentrations and O2- production by neutrophils (PMNs) was significantly increased after 1 h of Qi-training compared with the basal state. To verify that endogenous GH mediates the priming of PMNs, serum obtained from elderly subjects in the basal state and after Qi-training was incubated with neutrophils isolated from young subjects for 60 min and triggered with N-formyl-1-methionyl-1-leucyl-1-phenylalanine (fMLP). Significant O2- production was observed in the PMNs incubated with serum collected after a Qi-training (p < .05). On the other hand, the priming effect on the PMNs was abolished in Qi-training sera depleted of endogenous GH with anti-human GH polyclonal antibody (p < .01) and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein (p < .01). The authors suggest that the endogenous GH released during and immediately after Qi-training mediates the priming events through tyrosine kinase activation in PMNs.
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Studies of qigong have shown positive effects on inflammation as well as AD.
“Studies of qigong have shown positive effects on inflammation as well as AD (Lee et al., 2005; Jahnke et al., 2010)”
From Effectiveness of a Novel Qigong Meditative Movement Practice for Impaired Health in Flight Attendants Exposed to Second-Hand Cigarette Smoke (2017) · cites this paper as Lee et al., 2005
Cites
Effect of Qigong Training on Proportions of T Lymphocyte Subsets in Human Peripheral Blood
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Self-citationEffects of Qigong on Immune Cells
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Self-citationChanges in Alpha Wave and State Anxiety during ChunDoSunBup Qi-Training in Trainees with Open Eyes
Lee, M. S., Bae, B. H., Ryu, H., Sohn, J., Kim, S. Y., & Chung, H. (1997) · The American Journal of Chinese Medicine · doi:10.1142/s0192415x97000329 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Self-citationEffects of ChunDoSunBup Qi-training on Psychological Adjustments: A Cross-sectional Study
Lee, M. S., Jeong, S. M., Oh, S. W., Ryu, H., & Chung, H. (1998) · The American Journal of Chinese Medicine · doi:10.1142/s0192415x98000270 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Self-citationRyu, H., Lee, M. S., Jeong, S.-M., Lee, J., Kang, C. W., Lee, D.-Y., & Chung, H. (2000) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/s0306-4530(99)00069-4 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Self-citationInvolvement of Intracellular Ca2+during Growth Hormone-Induced Priming of Human Neutrophils
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Self-citationQI-TRAINING ENHANCES NEUTROPHIL FUNCTION BY INCREASING GROWTH HORMONE LEVELS IN ELDERLY MEN
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Self-citationEditorial: Stress, depression and the immune system
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The effect of qigong exercise on immunity and infections: a systematic review of controlled trials
Wang, C.-W., Ng, S.-M., Ho, R. T. H., Ziea, E. T. C., Wong, V. C. W., & Chan, C. L. W. (2012) · The American Journal of Chinese Medicine · doi:10.1142/s0192415x1250084x · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Payne, P., Fiering, S., Leiter, J. C., Zava, D. T., & Crane-Godreau, M. A. (2017) · Frontiers in Human Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnhum.2017.00067 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
- Authors
- LEE, M. S., KIM, M. K., & RYU, H.
- Affiliations
- Wonkwang University (KR)
- Kunsan National University (KR)
- Boston University (US)
- Venue
- International Journal of Neuroscience
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2005-01
- Volume
- 115
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 1099-1104
- ISSN
- 0020-7454 (ISSN-L)
- 1543-5245
- OpenAlex
- W2009128276
- Cited by
- 32
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 3 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 0.40
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Biofield Effects and Biophysics
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Neutrophil, Myeloperoxidase and Oxidative Mechanisms
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Keywords
- qigong, immune function, neutrophils, growth hormone, reactive oxygen species, neutrophil priming, tyrosine kinase, genistein, fMLP, neurohormones, older adults
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Breathing Exercises, Cell Communication, Growth Inhibitors, Health Promotion, Humans, Immune System, Learning, Male, N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine, Neutrophils, Protein-Tyrosine Kinases, Time Factors, Signal Transduction, Human Growth Hormone, Genistein
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