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The present study investigated the effects of in vitro and in vivo Korean ChunSoo Qi-Energy Healing on neutrophil superoxide generation. Neutrophil superoxide generation was measured by a chemiluminescence assay. Superoxide generation was significantly increased in vitro by emitted Qi-therapy (QT) of 60-second duration and 150-second duration compared to control (1.59-fold for 60 seconds, p < 0.05; 1.50-fold for 150 seconds, p < 0.05). Neutrophil superoxide generation increased significantly immediately after 5 minutes of QT in vivo (1.42-fold, p < 0.05). These results show that QT in vivo and in vitro has an acute stimulatory effect on neutrophil superoxide generation. This study provides direct scientific support that Qi as such may positively affect human innate immunity.

Dang-Gui-Shao-Yao-San (DGSYS) is a mixture of medicinal herbs, which has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating anemia and ovulary disorders. Its preparation comprises Angelicae sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, Ligustucum chuanxiong Hort, Paeonia lactiflora pall, Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, Atractylodis macrocephala Koidz and Alisma orientalis (Sam.) Juzep. The present study examined the anti-superoxide formation, free radical scavenging and anti-lipid peroxidation activities of DGSYS by xanthine oxidase inhibition, cytochrome C system with superoxide anion released by the fMLP or PMA activating pathway in human neutrophils, and FeCl₂ ascorbic acid-induced lipid peroxidation effects on lipids in rat liver homogenate, respectively. DGSYS showed anti-superoxide formation and free radical scavenging activity in a concentration-dependent manner. It also inhibited PMA- but not fMLP-induced superoxide anion released from human neutrophils. These antioxidant actions of DGSYS showed beneficial cytoprotective effects against lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenate, human platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid (AA) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and mitomycin C-mediated hemolytic in human erythrocytes.

Neutrophils are key effector cells involved in host defence against invading organisms such as bacteria and fungi. Their over-recruitment, uncontrolled activation and defective removal contribute to the initiation and propagation of many chronic inflammatory conditions. Neutrophil apoptosis is a physiological process that terminates the cells' functional responsiveness and induces phenotypic changes that render them recognizable by phagocytes (e.g. macrophages). Evidence indicates that neutrophil apoptosis and the subsequent removal of these cells by macrophages occur via mechanisms that do not elicit an inflammatory response and that these processes are fundamental for the successful resolution of inflammation. The molecular mechanisms regulating apoptosis in neutrophils are being elucidated and consequently it is now believed that selective induction of neutrophil is a potential target for therapeutic intervention.

The “colony-stimulating factors” are growth-promoting substances for the hematopoietic cells. This term was introduced by Bradley & Metcalf in 1966, when they demonstrated that specific factors derived from living cells can stimulate hematopoietic precursors to form colonies and clusters of cells in an in vitro culture system.¹ In a series of critical experiments, they demonstrated that these factors can be detected in serum, urine and other body fluids, using their colony-forming assay.^2–4 They also demonstrated that endotoxin injections and experimental infections, conditions known to increase blood neutrophil levels, are associated with enhanced production and secretion of these factor.^4,5 Currently, three hematopoietic growth factors are called colony-stimulating factors (CSF). These are granulocyte-CSF (G-CSF), granulocyte macrophage-CSF (GM-CSF) and macrophage-CSF (M-CSF). A fourth factor, originally called multi-CSF, is now usually referred to as Interleukin-3 (IL-3). A number of other interleukins (IL-1 through IL-23), as well as erythropoietin (EPO) and thrombopoietin (TPO), and several other factors, are known regulators of the hematopoietic process. This chapter focuses on G-CSF and GM-CSF, the factors principally influencing neutrophil production and function.