Down‐regulated lymphocyte NF‐kB activation in breast cancer survivors following yoga participation

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine lymphocyte NF-κB activation in female breast cancer survivors who participated in eight weeks of yoga. Survivors (Stages I-IV, age 61+7.4 yr, mean+SD) were randomly assigned to yoga (Y, n = 10) or waitlisted (WL, n = 9) groups. Iyengar yoga practice included two 90-minute classes per week plus one home practice. Demands of Illness (DOI) and lymphocyte NF-κB activation were evaluated pre- (T1) and post-yoga (T2). Lymphocyte NF-κB activation (Y, n = 5; WL, n = 4) was determined by EMSA following stimulation by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, phytohemagglutinin and ionomycin. These data were initially analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman Rank Order Correlation test. Results indicated that DOI significantly declined (p = 0.038) from T1 to T2 with yoga. The change in NF-κB activation from T1 (Y = 2563+1076, WL = 2029+1456, integrated density value/μg protein/106 cells) to T2 (Y = 1439+1142, WL = 2359+443) was significantly different (p = 0.039) between groups. Linear regression analysis of DOI and log transformed NF-κB activation data revealed a significant association between variables (r = 0.75, p = 0.01) in yoga participants only. These findings lend support to the hypothesis that yoga participation by breast cancer survivors can attenuate illness-related stressors and alter lymphocyte NF-κB regulation. Supported by Cancer Prevention and Research Center WSU; University of Washington Center for Women’s Health and Gender Research.