Effect of Zen Meditation on serum nitric oxide activity and lipid peroxidation

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2005 Feb;29(2):327-31. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2004.11.019. Epub 2004 Dec 29.

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the effect of Zen Meditation on serum nitric oxide activity (NO) and oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation). The experimental group included 20 subjects who had practiced the Zen Meditation program in Meditation Center located in Seoul, South Korea. The control group included 20 subjects who did not practice any formal stress management technique and were age and sex matched with experimental group. To provide an assessment of nitric oxide production, the serum level of nitrate/nitrite was determined using the Griess reagent. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was measured as a convenient index of lipid peroxidation by thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method. Meditation group showed a significant higher level of serum nitrate+nitrite concentration and a significant reduced level of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) than control group. A comprehensive randomized controlled trial should be performed to prove the causal relationship between meditation and level of nitric oxide or oxidative stress in reducing cardiovascular risk factors.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lipid Peroxidation / physiology*
  • Male
  • Malondialdehyde / blood
  • Meditation / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Nitrates / blood
  • Nitric Oxide / blood*
  • Nitrites / blood
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / metabolism

Substances

  • Nitrates
  • Nitrites
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Malondialdehyde