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A Large Randomized Trial: Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for Breast Cancer (BC) Survivors on Salivary Cortisol and IL-6.
Lengacher, CA, Reich, RR, Paterson, CL, Shelton, M, Shivers, S, Ramesar, S, Pleasant, ML, Budhrani-Shani, P, Groer, M, Post-White, J, et al
Biological research for nursing. 2019;21(1):39-49
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Breast cancer survivors (BCS) often experience physiological and psychological stressors related to their diagnosis and treatment, and a disruption of cortisol function can affect cancer risk and progression. Increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol and interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory immune mediator, have been associated with acute and chronic stress levels. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a clinical stress-reducing program, which has been found to decrease psychological and physical symptoms associated with stress. The purpose of this randomised study, involving 299 BCS, was to evaluate the efficacy of MBSR in reducing cortisol and IL-6 levels, compared to a usual-care control treatment. Statistically significant reductions in cortisol levels were seen after the delivery of the MBSR program at both time points (week 1 and 6), and at week 6 only for IL-6. There was no significant difference in change in cortisol or IL6 levels over time between the MBSR and the usual-care groups. An association was observed between levels of IL-6 and psychological and physical symptoms and quality of life, but not for cortisol. The authors conclude that MBSR can alleviate the stress response in the short term for breast cancer survivors.
Abstract
Breast cancer survivors (BCS) often experience psychological and physiological symptoms after cancer treatment. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), a complementary and alternative therapy, has reduced subjective measures of stress, anxiety, and fatigue among BCS. Little is known, however, about how MBSR affects objective markers of stress, specifically the stress hormone cortisol and the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6). In the present study, BCS ( N = 322) were randomly assigned to a 6-week MBSR program for BC or usual-care control. Measurements of cortisol, IL-6, symptoms, and quality of life were obtained at orientation and 6 weeks. Cortisol and IL-6 were also measured prior to and after the MBSR(BC) class Weeks 1 and 6. The mean age of participants was 56.6 years and 69.4% were White non-Hispanic. Most had Stage I (33.8%) or II (35.7%) BC, and 35.7% had received chemotherapy and radiation. Cortisol levels were reduced immediately following MBSR(BC) class compared to before the class Weeks 1 and 6 (Wilcoxon-signed rank test; p < .01, d = .52-.56). IL-6 was significantly reduced from pre- to postclass at Week 6 (Wilcoxon-signed rank test; p < .01, d = .21). No differences were observed between the MBSR(BC) and control groups from baseline to Week 6 using linear mixed models. Significant relationships with small effect sizes were observed between IL-6 and both symptoms and quality of life in both groups. Results support the use of MBSR(BC) to reduce salivary cortisol and IL-6 levels in the short term in BCS.
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Substituting whole grains for refined grains in a 6-wk randomized trial has a modest effect on gut microbiota and immune and inflammatory markers of healthy adults.
Vanegas, SM, Meydani, M, Barnett, JB, Goldin, B, Kane, A, Rasmussen, H, Brown, C, Vangay, P, Knights, D, Jonnalagadda, S, et al
The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2017;105(3):635-650
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Increased whole grain consumption has been associated with reduced levels of inflammation. This randomised, controlled trial aimed to assess the effects of a whole grain diet in comparison with a refined grain diet on the immune system, levels of inflammation and gut bacteria. 81 men and women aged between 40 and 60 were randomly assigned to either a whole grain or a refined grain diet for a period of 6 weeks. All other dietary components were kept the same and calorie levels were controlled to maintain weight levels. The study findings showed a positive effect on stool frequency and stool weight with the whole grain diet in comparison to the refined grain diet. The whole grain diet also showed modest positive effects on gut bacteria profiles and aspects of immunity. The whole grain diet showed no effects on markers of inflammation.
Abstract
Background: Observational studies suggest an inverse association between whole-grain (WG) consumption and inflammation. However, evidence from interventional studies is limited, and few studies have included measurements of cell-mediated immunity.Objective: We assessed the effects of diets rich in WGs compared with refined grains (RGs) on immune and inflammatory responses, gut microbiota, and microbial products in healthy adults while maintaining subject body weights.Design: After a 2-wk provided-food run-in period of consuming a Western-style diet, 49 men and 32 postmenopausal women [age range: 40-65 y, body mass index (in kg/m2) <35] were assigned to consume 1 of 2 provided-food weight-maintenance diets for 6 wk.Results: Compared with the RG group, the WG group had increased plasma total alkyresorcinols (a measure of WG intake) (P < 0.0001), stool weight (P < 0.0001), stool frequency (P = 0.02), and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producer Lachnospira [false-discovery rate (FDR)-corrected P = 0.25] but decreased pro-inflammatory Enterobacteriaceae (FDR-corrected P = 0.25). Changes in stool acetate (P = 0.02) and total SCFAs (P = 0.05) were higher in the WG group than in the RG group. A positive association was shown between Lachnospira and acetate (FDR-corrected P = 0.002) or butyrate (FDR-corrected P = 0.005). We also showed that there was a higher percentage of terminal effector memory T cells (P = 0.03) and LPS-stimulated ex vivo production of tumor necrosis factor-α (P = 0.04) in the WG group than in the RG group, which were positively associated with plasma alkylresorcinol concentrations.Conclusion: The short-term consumption of WGs in a weight-maintenance diet increases stool weight and frequency and has modest positive effects on gut microbiota, SCFAs, effector memory T cells, and the acute innate immune response and no effect on other markers of cell-mediated immunity or systemic and gut inflammation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01902394.