ABSTRACT
In this review, we present clinical studies on mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) with a focus on mediating mechanisms for its health promoting effects. These constitute awareness, self-compassion, regulation of dysfunctional patterns of thoughts and emotions, neural network and cellular processes. Among cellular processes are inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and telomere shortening, which all contribute to the molecular pathophysiology of several of today's lifestyle diseases. Finally, we address applications, where strong evidence exists for the clinical impact of MBT.
Subject(s)
Mindfulness , Stress, Psychological/therapy , Emotions , Empathy , HumansABSTRACT
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a frequently used technique in life science and in clinic diagnostic. IHC is a high precision method to localize different cell types or their expression in tissue. Over the years, different approaches of IHC have emerged, and the technique has become more and more sophisticated. However, the principles still remains: the inherent and spontaneous non-covalent interaction between an antibody and (hypothetical) any target of interest. That means, using this technique allows you to analyze a wide range of histological tissues (muscles, organs, neurons, etc.) from humans or animals under the microscope. Literally, IHC makes the invisible to the human eye clearly visible. In this chapter, we present an approach how to analyze human skeletal muscle tissue for content and activity of muscle stem cells, termed satellite cells.
Subject(s)
Immunohistochemistry/methods , Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism , Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle/metabolism , Antibodies , Cell Cycle/physiology , Cell Differentiation/physiology , Cell Proliferation/physiology , Humans , Laminin/metabolism , Microscopy, Fluorescence , Muscle, Skeletal/cytology , MyoD Protein/metabolism , Myogenin/metabolism , PAX7 Transcription Factor/metabolism , Regeneration/physiology , Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle/cytology , Software , WorkflowABSTRACT
To investigate satellite cells (SCs) and myonuclei characteristics in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Resting biopsies from m. vastus lateralis were obtained from thirteen RA patients and thirteen matched healthy controls (CON). Muscle biopsies were immunohistochemically stained and analyzed for fiber type specific content of SCs (Pax7+), proliferating SCs (Pax7+/MyoD+) and differentiating SCs (myogenin+). Furthermore, we quantified fiber type specific content of myonuclei and myofiber cross-sectional area (CSA). Finally, newly formed/regenerating fibers expressing neonatal MHC (nMHC+) were determined. The fiber type specific number of SCs did not differ between RA patients and CON, nor did the content of proliferating or differentiating SCs. In contrast, the content of myonuclei per fiber was higher in RA patients than CON for both type I (2.01 ± 0.41 vs. 1.42 ± 0.40 myonuclei/fiber, p < 0.01) and type II fibers (2.01 ± 0.41 vs. 1.37 ± 0.32 myonuclei/fiber, p < 0.01). No differences were observed in fiber composition, fiber type specific CSA or content of nMHC+ fibers. Our results indicate an increased propensity for myogenic differentiation of SC leading to an elevated myonuclear content in the skeletal muscle of RA patients. It is hypothesized that this could be a compensatory regulatory response related to the chronic inflammation in these patients.
