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Auto-immune diseases are characterized by an inappropriate inflammatory response against tissues in the body and represent a major health care burden. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β play a central role in the pathophysiology of many auto-immune diseases. Innovative therapies aimed at limiting pro-inflammatory cytokine production in a more physiological manner are warranted. In previous research conducted in an individual known as "the iceman", the investigators found that, through a autodidact concentration/meditation technique, he appears to mount a controlled stress response, characterized by activation of the sympathetic nervous system and enhanced production of cortisol, both of which are known to result in immunosuppression. In accordance, while practicing this concentration/meditation technique, the inflammatory response during human endotoxemia (lipopolysaccharide [LPS] administration) was remarkably low in this individual. Therefore, this technique could provide a novel means of controlling the inflammatory response. However, the aforementioned results were obtained in just one subject, and hence can not serve as scientific evidence for the effectiveness of the concentration/meditation technique. The iceman claims that he can teach this technique to other subjects within a relatively short time frame. Therefore, in the present study the investigators wish to investigate the effect of concentration/meditation on autonomic nervous system activity and the inflammatory response during experimental human endotoxemia in a controlled manner, by comparing a group of subjects that are trained by "the iceman" and practice the concentration/meditation technique with a group of subjects which do not.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concentration/meditation group | Experimental | Subjects in this arm will be performing the concentration/meditation technique of Wim Hof (The Iceman) prior to, during and after intravenously injected 2 ng/kg Lipopolysaccharide |
|
| Control group | Active Comparator | Subjects in this group will be intravenously injected with 2 ng/kg Lipopolysaccharide |
|
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lipopolysaccharide | Drug | LPS is used to elicit an inflammatory response in all subjects. |
|
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration of circulating TNF-α following LPS administration | 1 day |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Circulating cytokines (including but not limited to IL-6, IL-10 and IL1RA), following LPS administration. | 1 day | |
| Body temperature after LPS administration | 1 day | |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| M. Kox, Dr. | Intensive Care Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre | Principal Investigator |
| P. Pickkers, MD, PhD | Intensive Care Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre | Study Director |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intensive Care Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre | Nijmegen | Gelderland | 6500 HB | Netherlands |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D001327 | Autoimmune Diseases |
| D019446 | Endotoxemia |
| D007249 | Inflammation |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D007154 | Immune System Diseases |
| D016470 | Bacteremia |
| D018805 | Sepsis |
| D007239 | Infections |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D008070 | Lipopolysaccharides |
| D019122 | Meditation |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D006001 | Glycoconjugates |
| D002241 | Carbohydrates |
| D011135 | Polysaccharides, Bacterial |
| D011134 | Polysaccharides |
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| Concentration/meditation | Behavioral | A self-taught concentration/meditation technique that Mr Wim Hof developed himself, characterized by cycles consisting of a few minutes of hyperventilation followed by breath holding for up to 1-2 minutes and deep concentration (mindset). |
|
|
| Hemodynamic parameters after LPS administration |
Blood pressure, heart rate, saturation, respiratory rate. |
| 1 day |
| Plasma cortisol levels after LPS administration | 1 day |
| Plasma catecholamines levels after LPS administration | 1 day |
| Heart Rate Variability following LPS administration | 1 day |
| mtDNA concentrations following LPS administration | 1 day |
| Transcriptome analysis of circulating leukocytes after LPS administration | 1 day |
| Cytokine production by leukocytes ex vivo stimulated with LPS after LPS administration | 1 day |
| Changes in cell surface markers and functionality of circulating neutrophils after LPS administration | 1 day |
| effects of gut microbiome on inflammatory response elicited by LPS administration | 1 day |
| Ethylene and NO concentrations in exhaled breath after LPS administration | 1 day |
| Electrolyte concentrations in blood after concentration/meditation during endotoxemia | 1 day |
| Cortisol concentration in scalp hair | 1 measurement 3 weeks after LPS administration |
| Leukocyte counts and differentiation after LPS administration | 1 day |
| Illness symptoms after LPS administration | shivering, headache, back ache, muscle ache, vomiting. | 1 day |
| Blood viscosity after LPS administration | 1 day |
| Platelet-leukocyte interactions after LPS administration | flow cytometric analysis of complexes between platelets on the one hand and monocytes, lymphocytes and neutrophils on the other hand. | 1 day |
| beta-2 glycoprotein concentrations after LPS administration | 1 day |
| cell surface markers on circulating leukocytes after LPS administration | 1 day |
| Plasma endorphin levels after LPS administration | 1 day |
| D014115 |
| Toxemia |
| D018746 | Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome |
| D010335 | Pathologic Processes |
| D013568 | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms |
| D008055 |
| Lipids |
| D000942 | Antigens, Bacterial |
| D000941 | Antigens |
| D001685 | Biological Factors |
| D004731 | Endotoxins |
| D001427 | Bacterial Toxins |
| D014118 | Toxins, Biological |
| D026441 | Mind-Body Therapies |
| D000529 | Complementary Therapies |
| D013812 | Therapeutics |
| D026443 | Spiritual Therapies |
| D012064 | Relaxation Therapy |
| D001521 | Behavior Therapy |
| D011613 | Psychotherapy |
| D004191 | Behavioral Disciplines and Activities |