Abstract
Leukocytes are divided into two major types, granulocytes and lymphocytes. Granulocytes are activated in number and function under sympathetic nerve stimulation, whereas lymphocytes are activated under parasympathetic nerve stimulation. We analyzed the ratio of leukocytes and the time-domain (%RR50) from R-R interval variability to investigate the differences in autonomic nervous system activity in 10 healthy female subjects (age 51.2±8.7 years). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not variation in the ratio of leukocytes in the blood was equivalent to the variation in %RR50, and whether the autonomic nervous system, endocrine secretion and immune mechanism interacted. The subjects were grouped according to the mean values of the ratio of lymphocytes among the leukocytes when in a sitting position. The granulocytes group (GG : 5 persons) had below average values for the ratio of lymphocytes among the leukocytes, and the lymphocytes group (LG : 5 persons) had above average values. The measurements were taken during spontaneous breathing for 15 min at rest, followed by YOGA breathing (voluntary control of abdominal breathing : expiration to inspiration time ratio was 2 to 1) for 15 min and recovery with spontaneous breathing in a sitting position for 30 min. The R-R intervals were measured 8 times for 60 min as well as heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), and respiratory frequency (f). Blood was drawn 3 times for 60 min and the erythrocyte·leukocyte·thrombocyte·hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) levels were examined. The leukocytes were classified as neutrophil, eosinophil, basophil, monocyte or lymphocyte. Furthermore the catecholamine : adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine (CA : Adr, Nad and DA), cortisol and immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels were observed.
It was confirmed that the variation in the ratio of leukocytes was equivalent to the variation of %RR50, both of GG and LG. With regard to the characteristics of each group, the following were observed : GG showed an accelerated trend of sympathetic nervous system activity and high values were obtained in the measurements of BP, Adr, Nad, cortisol and low values in the measurements of IgA and %RR50 at rest. LG showed an accelerated trend of parasympathetic nervous system activity and high values were obtained in the measurements of IgA and %RR50 and low values in the measurements of BP, Adr, Nad, and cortisol at rest. LG was characterized by consistently low blood pressure and respiratory frequency. These results indicated that there were natural differences in each subject in their autonomic nervous system activity and physiological function at rest. However, it was found that YOGA breathing (voluntary control of abdominal breathing) enhanced vagal modulation of the heart rate and the lymphocytes gradually increased in subjects who showed an accelerated trend of sympathetic nervous system activity. During all of the trials, it has been shown that activities of the autonomic nervous system, endocrine secretion and immune mechanism interacted.
It was suggested that the distribution of leukocytes is not only related to immunity, but also is an indication of physical and mental stress and physical condition.
