Transcriptome profiling after Sudarshan Kriya Yoga and its practice – A pilot study

Background and objectives

Mind body interventions (MBIs) originated in ancient India like yoga, pranayama and meditation have been found to provide positive health benefits. How these interventions bring about changes affecting improved holistic health at the molecular level is still being investigated. Earlier indications are that the mind body interventions reprogram the body towards improved immunity and reduced inflammation that contrasts with the transcriptome response to chronic stress. Beyond this, if there are other gene expression signatures that are common to MBIs, or any other functions affected are yet to be looked into.

Methods

Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) is an integrated yoga-pranayama-meditation technique that has shown to provide multiple health benefits including better immunity and stress reduction. Previous work looking at the transcriptome changes after SKY has found that the genes involved in immune functions are upregulated. Nevertheless, how novices respond to SKY at the level of their gene expression is still largely unknown. In this study, we looked at the global transcriptome after SKY program as well as its practice in novices in a longitudinal study.

Results

Immediately after the SKY program, we found 175 genes changed in expression that mainly relates to functions such as neuronal regeneration, resisting cancer progression and lowering inflammation. Interestingly, after 30 days of SKY practice a separate set of 44 genes are differentially expressed, cytoskeletal reorganization being one of the major functions.

Conclusions

Contrary to the transcriptional responses to chronic stress, molecular reprogramming after MBIs such as SKY reduced inflammatory responses along with improved regenerative functions.