The Effects of Concentration/Meditation on the Innate Immune Response During Human Endotoxemia

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 In addition, recent unpublished findings indicate that these concentration/meditation techniques can also influence the inflammatory response ex vivo.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.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* 45 - 55 years of age
* male
* Healthy

Exclusion Criteria:

* Use of any medication.
* Smoking.
* Bleeding disorder.
* Previous spontaneous vagal collapse.
* History, signs or symptoms of cardiovascular disease.
* Cardiac conduction abnormalities on the ECG consisting of a 2nd degree atrioventricular block or a complex bundle branch block.
* Hypertension (defined as RR systolic \> 160 or RR diastolic \> 90).
* Hypotension (defined as RR systolic \< 100 or RR diastolic \< 50).
* Renal impairment (defined as plasma creatinin \>120 μmol/l).
* Liver enzyme abnormalities or positive hepatitis serology.
* Positive HIV serology or any other obvious disease associated with immune deficiency.
* Febrile illness in the week before the LPS challenge.
* Participation in another drug trial or donation of blood 3 months prior to the planned LPS challenge.