Research Journal of Chemical Sciences ______________________________________________ ISSN 2231-606X Vol. 1(9), 83-86, Dec. (2011) Res.J.Chem.Sci. International Science Congress Association 83 Short CommunicationShort Term Effect of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga on Lipid and Hormone Profile of Type 2 Diabetic Patients Vedamurthachar A., Anita R. Bijoor, Agte Vaishali, Swathi Reddy and Lakshmi B.1 Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth, 21st Km, Kanakapura Road, Udayapura, Bangalore, 560 082, Karnataka INDIA Dept of Biochemistry St,John medical college, Bangalore 560034 INDIA Agharkar Research Institute, G.G.Agarkar Road, Pune 411004 INDIA Available online at: www.isca.in (Received 20th September 2011, revised 21st October 2011, accepted 25th November 2011)Abstract Objective: The study of short term effect of an advanced Sudarshan Kriya Yoga practice as a complementary therapy for 6 days. Design: Open label intervention study. Settings/Location: Art of living international ashram. Subjects: 50 type 2 diabetic patients (22-69 yr). Interventions/therapy: Advanced SKY workshop of 6 days (Sudarshan Kriya and its accompanying practices (SK&P), taught by the Art of Living Foundation world-wide, are stress management/health promotion techniques whose health benefits are being validated by modern medical science) Outcome Measures: Plasma cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, LDL and VLDL, FT4 and prolactin, cortisol, TSH. Results: In the participants, there was a significant decrease in plasma cholesterol (p0.03), increase in HDL (p0.0001), but levels of triglycerides, LDL and VLDL remained unaffected (p&#x-18.;楆0.05). Further, levels of FT4 and prolactin significantly increased while cortisol levels were significantly decreased (p 0.05). Other parameters; viz.; plasma levels of TSH remained unchanged (p&#x-6.3;ࡤ0.19). Conclusion: The action of SKY on lipid profile and hormonal status was of counteractive nature and felt to be distinctly different than the effect of drugs. Keywords: Sudarshan Kriya Yoga, lipid profile, hormone status, type 2 diabetes Introduction Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) is a special yogic package designed by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of Art of Living Foundation. SKY is based on rhythmic breathing exercise called Sudarshan Kriya (SK), and pranayama involving Ujjayi breathing (breath touching the throat) besides emphasizing importance of prayers, asanas, pranayama, meditation, vegetarian satvic (pure) diet and interactive discussions for attitude training based on ‘Art of living’ knowledge points. SKY has been shown to be a simple and economical therapeutic modality to have antidepressant effect on the mind-body complex in melancholic patients1,2. It has shown promise in reducing blood glucose levels at the end of 2 month practice by diabetics in our earlier study. Recently, we have also demonstrated betterment of antioxidant status and anxiety levels by practice of SKY in apparently healthy adults. Sudarshan Kriya and its accompanying practices (SK&P), taught by the Art of Living Foundation world-wide, are management/health promotion techniques whose health benefits are being validated by modern medical science. The present investigation is focused at efficacy of 6 days of advanced SKY practice on lipid profile and hormonal status in type 2 diabetics. Material and Methods Subjects: 50 type 2 diabetic patients (22-69 yr) attended an advanced SKY training of 6 days organized at Bangalore city. An informed written consent was obtained from the participants. All the participants underwent the part 2 course of Art of Living Foundation of 6 days duration, consisting of Sudarshan kriya, guided meditations, silence, yoga (postures and breathing exercises), satsang (group singing of devotional songs) by a trained teacher. All the patients were on prescribed medications. Observations about clinical examination, biochemical tests for health status and hormone levels were recorded before undergoing the course. Same set of observations was repeated after 6 days’ practice of SKY on 50 participants which gave the second observation. The Art of Living Course, Part-II:This is a 6 day course for participants who have completed part I course and which includes Meditations, Yoga and other processes. Often a residential course, the participants are in silence for 2/3 duration of the course. Clinical examination: Blood pressure was measured by doctor using a stethoscope and a sphygmomanometer by a medical doctor. Research Journal of Chemical Sciences __________________________________________________________ ISSN 2231-606X Vol. 1(9), 83-86, Dec. (2011) Res.J.Chem.SciInternational Science Congress Association 84 Blood biochemistry: Fasting blood samples were drawn and analyzed for levels of glucose, lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL, triglycerides) and hormone levels (TSH, FT4, Prolactin and cortisol) using standard kits (India). Statistical methods: All the estimations were done in duplicates. Differences between means were tested by paired t test. Results were considered significant.  Results and DiscussionBiochemical changes in the participants: Table-1 shows the average levels of total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and VLDL before and after 6 days of SKY training. The mean value of TG before undergoing SKY workshop was 125.90+ 70.8, and after undergoing SKY workshop was 134.03+ 53.1. Although there was a slight increase in TG levels, these were not statistically significant (p=0.33). The mean value of total cholestrol before undergoing SKY workshop was 188+ 45.2, and after undergoing SKY workshop was 172.08+ 39.7. There was a significant decrease in total cholesterol by 26 mg/dL (p=0.03). Moreover, the mean value of HDL level before undergoing SKY work shop was 58.87+ 17.3 and after undergoing SKY workshop was 79.54+ 26.9. The HDL levels were significantly increased by about 10 mg/dL (p0.0001). The mean value of LDL level before undergoing SKY workshop was 48.25+ 54.5 and after undergoing the SKY workshop was 41.96+ 28.9. The mean value of VLDL level before undergoing SKY workshop was 25.18+ 14.2, and after undergoing the SKY workshop was 26.80+ 10.6. Changes in LDL and VLDL levels were not statistically significant (p�0.05). Hormonal changes in the participants: Table-2 shows the average levels of hormones before and after 6 days of SKY training. The mean value of TSH level before undergoing SKY workshop was 3.43+ 2.0 and after undergoing the SKY workshop was 3.21+ 1.9. The TSH levels were decreased marginally but the change was not statistically significant (p�0.19). The mean value of FT4 level before undergoing SKY workshop was 0.95+ 0.15, and after undergoing the SKY workshop was 1.18+ 0.90. The FT4 levels were significantly increased. The mean value of cortisol levels before undergoing SKY workshop was 14.19+ 4.6 and after undergoing the SKY workshop was 12.34+ 3.0. The FT4 and cortisol levels were significantly decreased and in the mean value of prolactin before undergoing SKY workshop was 7.71+ 4.4 and after undergoing the SKY workshop was 8.85+ 4.1. The prolactin levels were significantly increased (p0.05). Discussion: Yoga is well known as the ancient lifestyle approach for healthy mind and healthy body. A review of research published between 1970 and 2004 on the effects of yoga on insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease has been done based on 70 studies. These studies provide evidence that yoga can improve many physiological indicators of insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease, including glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, lipid profiles, anthropometric characteristics, blood pressure, oxidative stress, coagulation profiles, sympathetic activation, and cardiovagal function. Sudarshan kriya yoga includes meditation, pranayam, yogasanas, art of living knowledge points including living in the present moment and above all Sudarshan Kriya; a cycle of breaths. By doing SKY body gets enough oxygen which can alleviate cellular metabolism. SKY also propogates adhering to ‘Satvic’ diet, avoiding sweets, fries and spicy foods. Table-1 Mean values before and after SKY with results of paired t test for lipid profile Biochemical parameters Mean value (Before) Mean value (After) t value P value Triglycerides 125.90+ 70.8 134.03+ 53.1 0.96 0.33 Cholesterol 188.13+ 45.2172.08+ 39.71.99 0.03 HDL Cholesterol 58.87+ 17.3 79.54+ 26.9 -4.29 0.0001 LDL Cholesterol 48.25+ 54.5 41.96+ 28.9 0.86 0.20 VLDL Cholesterol 25.18+ 14.2 26.80+ 10.6 -0.96 0.17 50 participants gave their consent for participation in the Blood pressure was measured and blood samples were taken for the estimation of glucose, lipid profile and hormone levels on day 1. 50 participants underwent an advanced mediation course in art of living for 6 days . Blood pressure was measured and blood samples were taken for the estimation of glucose, lipid profile and hormone levels on day 6. Research Journal of Chemical Sciences __________________________________________________________ ISSN 2231-606X Vol. 1(9), 83-86, Dec. (2011) Res.J.Chem.SciInternational Science Congress Association 85 Table-2 Mean values before and after SKY with results of paired t test for hormones Hormone Mean value (Before) Mean value (After) t value P value TSH 3.43+ 2.03.21+ 1.9 0.88 0.19 FT4 0.95+ 0.15 1.18 + 0.90 -1.73 0.04 Cortisol 14.19+ 4.6 12.34+ 3.0 3.0 0.002 Prolactin 7.71+ 4.4 8.85+ 4.1 -1.98 0.03 The prevalence of diabetes is highest among Indians with one in five diabetics to be Indian since the year 2005. The prevalence is increasing, particularly among youth and young adults, in parallel with the continuing rise in obesity. Type 2 diabetes is considered to be a psychosomatic disease associated with oxidative stress. Sudarshan Kriya is a rhythmic breathing and relaxation technique helpful in improving cellular oxygen uptake and in turn glucose metabolism in diabetes Sudarshan Kriya yoga also includes adhering to ‘satvic’ diet which is essentially fresh food: fruits and vegetables. In diabetic patients, immediate decrease of blood sugar has been observed after the session of Sudarshan Kriya in a recent study, SKY practice by 87 type 2 diabetics which also resulted in reduction in oxidative stress, total cholesterol and fasting glucose level. Short-term (9 day) impact of a brief lifestyle intervention based on yoga on some of the biochemical indicators of risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus on 98 subjects has been reported. Changes in blood glucose and glucose tolerance by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) after 40 days of yoga therapy in 149 NIDDM have also been reported. These studies support our finding about SKY with a difference that SKY demonstrated immediate changes in comparison to classical yogic techniques. In a study conducted at Hyderabad, India, on 73 healthy volunteers, men showed reduced levels of serum triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol at the end of the first 30 days (pranayama practice only), and increased levels of HDL-cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) and free fatty acids at the end of both the first 30 days (pranayama practice only) and at the end of the 3-month session. There was no change in LDL-cholesterol. Women showed reduced levels of serum free fatty acids at the end of both the first 30 days (pranayama only) and the 3-month session, and also showed reduced levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and VLDL- cholesterol by the end of the 3-month session. There were no changes in HDL-cholesterol. In the present study, a reduction in total cholesterol and rise in HDL with no change in LDL has been observed at the end of just 6 days of advanced SKY training. This might be due to coupling of SKY with relaxation techniques, dietary modifications (Satvic diet) and silence. Researchers at the Universite de la Mediterranee in France studied the effects of ujjayi breath training on everyday breathing patterns. After the training, participants showed a significant increase in exhalation duration and a modest increase in tidal volume. SKY also emphasizes the use of ujjayi breathing during pranayama which helps in better exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide during every breath. Sudarshana Kriya Yoga (SKY) has demonstrable antidepressant effects. Results extend the antidepressant effects of SKY in alcohol dependence subjects. Reduction in Stress-hormone levels (cortisol and ACTH) along with BDI reductions possibly support a biological mechanism of SKY in producing beneficial effects10. Kamai et al11 examined changes in brain waves and blood levels of serum cortisol during yoga exercise in 7 yoga instructors and found that alpha waves increased and serum cortisol decreased.Conclusions This preliminary study on short term effect of advanced SKY has indicated beneficial action on lipid profile and some stress hormones like cortisol and prolactin and further systematic studies using large sample and multiple locations are needed to confirm these results.AcknowledgementThis study is a part of a project funded by Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth under the grace of Poojya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar of Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth, Bangalore. Vedamurthachar A. and Vaishali Agte, Dr Anita R Bijoor, Lakshmi B. Swathi Reddy. Interest of conflict: No commercial associations that might create a conflict of interest in connection with submitted manuscripts are applicable. VMC was the senior investigator as well as teacher of the SKY workshop. He planned the entire study, supervised the observations recorded, analyzed the data and drafted the manuscript. Both LB and SR were junior investigators and participated in SKY workshop as well as taking on site observations. VG was a senior faculty of SKY workshop and senior scientist from AMC pune, also contributed in planning the study, analyzing data and writing the manuscript. There are no other competing financial interests of all authors which have not been appropriately disclosed. Research Journal of Chemical Sciences __________________________________________________________ ISSN 2231-606X Vol. 1(9), 83-86, Dec. (2011) Res.J.Chem.SciInternational Science Congress Association 86 References 1. Janakiramaiah N., Gangadhar B.N., Naga Venkatesha Murthy P.J. Antidepressant efficacy of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) in melancholia: a randomized comparison with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and imipramineJ Affect Disord, (57), 255-259 (2000) 2. 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