Increasing Plasma Adrenaline Levels Through Breathing Techniques - an Explorative Study
Autoimmune DiseasesInflammatory cytokines play a pivotal role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and innovative non-pharmacological therapies aimed at limiting cytokine production are highly warranted. Adrenaline, a neurotransmitter of the autonomic sympathetic nervous system, attenuates cytokine production. Along these lines, endogenous modulation of sympathetic activity could limit inflammation and therefore represent a treatment modality that would empower RA patients to exert self-control over disease activity. However, both the autonomic nervous system and the inflammatory response are regarded as systems that cannot be voluntarily influenced. Nevertheless, results from two recent studies demonstrate that this is possible through techniques developed by 'iceman' Wim Hof, namely meditation, exposure to cold, and breathing exercises. Hof himself and healthy volunteers trained by him were able to voluntarily activate the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in adrenaline release and subsequent suppression of the inflammatory response during experimental human endotoxemia (a model of systemic inflammation elicited by administration of lipopolysaccharide [LPS] in healthy volunteers). Interestingly, while having been taught all three techniques, during the endotoxemia experiment the trained subjects (like Hof himself) predominantly practiced the breathing exercises consisting of two different techniques. A 'hyper/hypoventilation' technique, characterized by cycles of hyperventilation followed by breath retention and a 'strength ventilation' technique consisting of deep inhalations and exhalations followed by breath holding. These techniques resulted in intermittent hypoxia and cyclic shifts in acid-base balance. Based on these observations and previous studies, the investigators hypothesize that these breathing techniques account for the increased production of adrenaline and thus for the suppressed inflammatory response but it is unclear which of these two techniques is most important.
Phase 0 Microdose Study
Autoimmune DiseasesThis study is a methodology study to evaluate a microdose strategy for Drug-Drug Interaction (DDI) which will be useful in the evaluation of the backup compounds for GSK706769, as well as possibly other assets. The safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics will be evaluated in healthy adult subjects. This will be an open-label fixed-sequence 2-period study in healthy male volunteers after oral administration of [14C]-GSK706769 alone and in the presence of Ketoconazole.
Is a Diet Necessary When Corticosteroid Treatment is Prescribed?
Autoimmune DiseasesAsthmaFew recommendations concerning the diet and dosage to be administered to patients treated with corticosteroids are established. It therefore seems important to study prospectively the indication of a diet low in salt and sugar in patients undergoing corticosteroid therapy, to record side effects observed and to measure their frequency.
Autologous Stem/Stromal Cells in Neurological Disorders and Disease
DementiaParkinson5 moreThe study deals with evaluation of safety and efficacy of use of stem/stromal cell isolates from autologous microvasculature in neurological, non-neoplastic disease. Autologous cells are acquired via microcannula aspiration of subdermal fat deposits, isolated through a digestive process, and concentrated via standard centrifugation. The cellular stromal vascular fraction (cSVF) created is neutralized and rinsed to eliminate residual enzymatic molecules. These cells are suspending in sterile Normal Saline Solution (500cc) and re-administered via an intravenous parenteral route, passed through a standard sterile 150 u (micron) filter in line. Multiple tracking and questionnaire followup is intended over a 5 year period, with objective and subjective criteria being met. Compilation and analysis of data to be completed after that period.
Off-Label Use of Ribavirin in Management of Mucocutaneous Extrahepatic Manifestations of HCV Infection...
Hepatitis CLichen Planus2 moreThis study will be conducted on 30 patients with mucocutaneous complaints and documented HCV infection. The study will be done at Tropical medicine department , Tanta university. It will be conducted between June2014 and November 2014. The aim of the study is to assess efficacy of Ribavirin in the management of mucocutaneous extrahepatic manifestations of HCV infection.
A Natural History Study to Assess the Clinical Outcomes of Patients With Complement Factor I Deficiency-Mediated...
Recurrent Bacterial InfectionAutoimmune DisorderThis study will follow participants with a disease which is associated with an absence or deficiency in Complement Factor I (CFI) as confirmed in the CFI-001 screening study.
Immunological Response to COVID-19 Vaccine in Patients With Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases...
Autoimmune DiseasesInflammatory DisorderVaccination against the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was extended to patients at risk of severe forms of Covid-19, including in particular patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases treated by immunosuppressants and/or biologics. In this particular population, the effectiveness of vaccines, in particular influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations, is often reduced, especially in case of treatment with rituximab and / or methotrexate. Regarding the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, the studies that allowed the marketing authorization of the available vaccines did not include patients treated with immunosuppressants or immunomodulators. Thus, the impact of treatments on the production of neutralizing antibodies and specific T lymphocytes is not known. The goal of this study is to assess the immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases treated with immunosuppressants or immunomodulators.
Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir Fixed-Dose Combination for...
Chronic Hepatitis CThis study is evaluating the safety and efficacy of a 12 week treatment LDV/SOF FDC in patients with Chronic GT1 or GT4 HCV infection and autoimmune disease
Safety and Efficacy Study of Regulatory T Cells in Treating Autoimmune Hepatitis
Autoimmune DiseasesSeparated and expanded the CD4+CD25+CD127- Tregs from peripheral blood of autoimmune hepatitis patients and administrate the cells (5 x 106 cells/kg) into patients.
Study of Treatment Response on IgG4 Related Disease (IgG4RD)
Autoimmune DiseaseThis is an open-label randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy of Prednisone alone and combination therapy of Prednisone and Mycophenolate mofetil in IgG4RD patients.