Chronic sympathetic nervous system overactivity has been implicated as a factor capable of elevating and maintaining high serum cholesterol levels independent of dietary measures. We conducted a controlled trial to determine the effect of a relaxation technique. Transcendental Meditation, on serum cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic subjects. Serum cholesterol levels were measured at beginning and end of an 11-month period in 12 hypercholesterolemic subjects who regularly practiced meditation. Eleven hypercholesterolemic controls who did not practice the technique were similarly followed up for 13 months. Paired comparisons showed a significant (p less than 0.005) reduction in fasting serum cholesterol levels of those subjects who practiced meditation. These results suggest that the regular practice of a relaxation technique may contribute, most likely through a reduction in adrenergic activity, to the amelioration of hypercholesterolemia in certain subjects.
The effect of long-term administration of digoxin on sexual dysfunction was investigated in correlation to plasma androgens level. The patients of the experimental (digoxin-treated) and control (without digoxin) groups were of similar cardiac functional capacity and age (25-40 years) and were randomly selected from the rheumatic heart disease patients. A subjective assessment of sexual behavior was carried out, using parameters such as sexual desire, sexual excitement, and frequency of sexual relations. Personal interviews and questionnaires were also used for the evaluation of sexual behavior. The findings support various reports concerning digoxin effect on plasma levels of testosterone (the difference in the mean was significant). The effect on plasma levels of androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone in the experimental group as compared to the control group were not significant. Tests used to evaluate the changes in sexual behavior, showed a significant decrease in sexual desire, sexual excitement phase (erection) and frequency of sexual relations in the digoxin-treated group.
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