It is well accepted that qigong contributes to preventing and curing of diseases and prolonging life. To study its- mechanisms, the authors observed by means of fluorescence spectrophotometer in 68 subjects the variations of blood contents of monoamine neurotransmitters before and after the qigong exercises (5-hydroxytamine, 5-HT; norepinephrine,
NE; and dopamine, DA). 11 of the subjects were males, 21 females, their age ranging from 25 to 68 years old, with an average age of 18. They all had practised the qigong exercise for one month. All of them were patients of common chronic diseases, such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, gastric ulcer, gastritis, pulmonary emphysema, chronic bronchitis, joint system diseases, neurasthenia and neurosis.
Results observed:
1. A comparison of monoamine neurotransmitter contents in the blood of the subjects pre- and post-exercise showed a general reduction in 5-HT, in average from 0.42±0.21 to 0.21±0.13µg/ml, close to the normal value (normal value 0.15±0.04µg/ml). The difference was notable (P<0.001). Variations in NE and DA tended to go up, in average NE being from 0.27±0.13 to 0.35±0.27µg/ml, DA from 0.86±0.69 to 1.19±0.81µg/ml. Variation of DA displayed a statistical difference of P<0.02. The above description showed that the effect of the qigong exercise is closely related to the monoamine neurotransmitters in the body fluid.
2. Effects of the qigong exercise on the blood monoamine neurotransmitters of patients of different diseases:
The subjects were divided into 5 groups according to the nature of their disease. Subjects in each group showed reduction in blood 5-HT content-after they had practised the qigong exercise.
(l) The group of cardiovascular disease from 0.43±0.34 to 0.16±0.11µg/ml (n= 13).
(2) The group of gastric disease: from 0.38±0.I9 to 0.22±0.13µg/ml(n=20)
(3) The group of joint system disease: from 0.44±0.21 to 0.18±0.13µg/ml (n=10)
(4) The group of respiratory system disease: from 0.44±0.22 to 0.22±0.12µg/ml(n= 8)
(5) The group of other diseases (neurasthenia, neurosis) from 0.42±0.22 to 0.25±0.14µg/ml(n=13).
In all the groups except the fourth group, variations in 5-HT content in comparison with the pre-exercise values, were respectively P<0.01, <0.01, <0.05, <0.05. The difference was obvious. The post-exercise blood content of DA in various groups rose up remarkably. An evident difference was seen in the 2nd group (P <0.05). The NE content was seen to rise in the 5th group (P<0.05), while in other groups the variation was not obvious. In all the above groups, the content of vasoconstrictor substance 5-HT dropped to the normal concentration level, resulting in sufficient blood supply for the local tissues and organs. It also improved blood flow, promoted metabolism and strengthened the physiological function of the cells in the tissues, thus helping restore health, adding to the efficacy of qigong.
The authors claim that the qigong exercise helps regulate the function of the neuralgic system, and the monoamine neuron-transmitters participate in the whole process.
1. The qigong exercise helps regulate the neuro body fluid inner environment. Through regulating the 5-HT blood concentration in the neuro-transmitters of parasympathetic nerve, it causes the extra high blood 5-HT of the cardiovascular patients to drop to the normal level. It also dilates the coronary artery, improves the physiological functions, resulting in the relief of symptoms.
2. The qigong exercise helps build or strengthen the physiological function of the digestive system. The exercise exerts an influence on the control of nerves that govern the activities of the internal organs. It is shown by variation in the blood content of neuro-transmitters NE,
DA, and 5-HE, with 5-HE getting lower and DA getting higher, facilitating local blood flow and metabolism in the tissues.
3. Through regulating the concentration of pain producer 5-HE in the peripheral blood, the qigong exercise achieves an analgesic effect. The drop of 5-HE content is relative to the result of analgesia. This fact shows the drop of 5-HE is good for invigorating blood circulation and reducing extravasation, which is a proof of the TCM principle 'pain removes when block is eliminated'.
The qigong exercise results in preventing and curing of diseases. It helps regulate the nerve-body fluid inner environment, promotes activities of organs and maintains dynamic equilibrium of the organism through self-stabilization.
