Rapid changes in histone deacetylases and inflammatory gene expression in expert meditators

Abstract

BACKGROUND A growing body of research shows that mindfulness meditation can alter neural, behavioral and biochemical processes. However, the mechanisms responsible for such clinically relevant effects remain elusive. METHODS Here we explored the impact of a day of intensive practice of mindfulness meditation in experienced subjects (n= 19) on the expression of circadian, chromatin modulatory and inflammatory genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In parallel, we analyzed a control group of subjects with no meditation experience who engaged in leisure activities in the same environment (n= 21). PBMCs from all participants were obtained before (t1) and after (t2) the intervention (t2-t1= 8 hours) and gene expression was analyzed using custom pathway focused quantitative-real time PCR assays. Both groups were also presented with the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). RESULTS Core clock gene expression at baseline (t1) was similar between groups and their rhythmicity was not influenced in meditators by the intensive day of practice. Similarly, we found that all the epigenetic regulatory enzymes and inflammatory genes analyzed exhibited similar basal expression levels in the two groups. In contrast, after the brief intervention we detected reduced expression of histone deacetylase genes (HDAC2, 3 and 9), alterations in global modification of histones (H4ac; H3K4me3) and decreased expression of pro-inflammatory genes (RIPK2 and COX2) in meditators compared with controls. We found that the expression of RIPK2 and HDAC2 genes was associated with a faster cortisol recovery to the TSST in both groups. CONCLUSIONS The regulation of HDACs and inflammatory pathways may represent some of the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic potential of mindfulness-based interventions. Our findings set the foundation for future studies to further assess meditation strategies for the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions.

Invited Address: “The Times They Are A-Changin’” Gene Expression, Neuroplasticity, and Developmental Research

“…Similarly, experiments have shown both mindfulness and compassion-focused meditation to be effective in reducing anxiety, depression, and anger while enhancing emotion regulation, empathy, and psychological well-being (e.g., Eberth and Sedlmeier 2012;Hofmann et al 2011). These changes have been linked to changes in gene expression (e.g., Kaliman et al 2014;Sharma et al 2008) and in brain function and structure (Hofmann et al 2011;Hölzel et al 2011).…”

Recreational 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) or ‘ecstasy’ and self-focused compassion: Preliminary steps in the development of a therapeutic psychopharmacology of contemplative practices

“…Expert mediators show evidence of neural remodelling and alterations in neural [Lutz et al, 2008, Weng et al, 2013 and epigenetic [Kaliman et al, 2014] responses to social stress. During meditation, experts can achieve states of ecstasy and transcendence.…”

Timelessness and Time Dependence of Human Consciousness From a Scientific Western Viewpoint

“…The expression of 68 genes is changed, most with down and some with up regulation (Black et al 2012). In peripheral blood monocyte cells, mindfulness meditation reduces the expression of histone deacetylase genes and the expression of inflammatory genes suggesting a potential for the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions (Kaliman et al 2014). After intensive meditation with training over three months, telomerase activity significantly increases as compared to controls, which increases cellular lifetime (Epel et al 2009).…”