The Effects of Concentration/Meditation on the Innate Immune Response During Human Endotoxemia
Condition: Innate Immune Response
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      The innate immune response is the first line of defense against invading pathogens. Ideally,
      the inflammatory response is tightly regulated leading to both adequate protection to
      invading pathogens as well as limitation of an exuberant or unwanted immune response such as
      seen in sepsis or auto-immune diseases. It has become increasingly clear that the autonomic
      nervous system (ANS) and the innate immune response are intimately linked. Activation of the
      sympathetic division of ANS dampens inflammation via β2-adrenoceptors. On the other hand, in
      some cases, sympathetic drive can also stimulate the inflammatory response via
      α2-adrenoceptors. The parasympathetic branch of the ANS modulates the inflammatory response
      as well, since it was discovered that electrical stimulation of the efferent vagus nerve in
      rats greatly inhibits the innate immune response. Generally, the ANS is regarded as pure
      autonomic which can not be influenced by behavior. However, trough special
      concentration/mediation techniques mastered by certain individuals, it might be possible to
      modulate ANS activity. In addition, recent unpublished findings indicate that these
      concentration/meditation techniques can also influence the inflammatory response ex vivo.

      In this study the investigators wish to investigate the effect of concentration/meditation on
      the innate immune response in vivo. In addition the investigators wish to elucidate the
      mechanism via which this effect is mediated. The investigators aim to use the so called human
      endotoxemia model. This model permits elucidation of key players in the immune response to a
      gram negative stimulus in vivo, therefore serving as a useful tool to investigate potential
      novel therapeutic strategies in a standardized setting.

      Objectives:

      Primary objective: The primary objective of the study is to determine the effect of
      concentration/meditation on the innate immune response induced by a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
      challenge.

      Secondary Objective(s):

        1. To determine the effects of concentration/meditation on ANS activity.
           Electroencephalography (EEG), heart-rate variability (HRV), muscle sympathetic nerve
           activity and plasma concentrations of catecholamines will be measured for this purpose.

        2. To determine if concentration/meditation can attenuate (subclinical) renal damage known
           to occur during human endotoxemia, markers of proximal and distal tubular damage will be
           measured at various time points.
    


Intervention name(s): Concentration / meditation; lipopolysaccharide
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Drug
Intervention description(s): from 30 minutes before endotoxin administration to 1,5 hrs after endotoxin administration the subject is concentrating / meditating with the goal to influence the innate immune response; lipopolysaccharide 2ng/kg intravenously
Other intervention name(s): LPS; endotoxin
Observational model: Case-Only
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        One healthy male volunteer that masters the concentration/meditation technique.
      
Keywords: Immunity, Innate; Attention; Concentration