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Measurements of Physiological Stress Responses in C. Elegans
Published on: May 21, 2020
Genomic counter-stress changes induced by the relaxation response
Jeffery A Dusek1, Hasan H Otu, Ann L Wohlhueter
1Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States of America.
Plos One
|July 4, 2008
Summary
Mind-body practices that elicit the relaxation response (RR) induce specific gene expression changes. These findings suggest consistent physiological effects related to stress reduction and may inform new diagnostic approaches.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
- Psychoneuroimmunology
Background:
- Mind-body practices inducing the relaxation response (RR) are ancient techniques for disease prevention and treatment.
- The RR is characterized by physiological changes like reduced oxygen consumption and psychological distress, contrasting with the stress response.
- This study investigates if RR elicits distinct gene expression patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and measure gene expression changes associated with the relaxation response (RR).
- To explore if RR practice leads to characteristic transcriptional profiles.
- To determine if these gene expression changes can serve as unbiased markers for RR's physiological impact.
Main Methods:
- Whole blood transcriptional profiling was conducted on three groups: long-term RR practitioners (M), healthy controls (N1), and individuals trained in RR for 8 weeks (N2).
- Differential gene expression analysis was performed comparing groups M and N1, and N2 and N1.
- Gene ontology and enrichment analyses were used to interpret the functional significance of observed gene expression changes.
Main Results:
- 2209 genes were differentially expressed in long-term practitioners (M vs. N1), and 1561 in short-term practitioners (N2 vs. N1).
- A significant overlap of 433 differentially expressed genes was found between long-term and short-term practitioners.
- Analyses revealed alterations in cellular metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and stress response pathways, potentially counteracting stress-related cellular damage.
Conclusions:
- This study presents the first evidence that the relaxation response (RR) induces specific gene expression changes in both short-term and long-term practitioners.
- The observed constitutive gene expression changes suggest potential long-term physiological benefits of RR.
- Transcriptional profiling may offer a novel method for measuring RR and stress-related responses in various clinical settings.
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