Using ultra-weak photon emission to determine the effect of oligomeric proanthocyanidins on oxidative stress of human skin.

Exposure of skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation triggers oxidative stress in skin tissue that can lead to erythema, early skin aging or even cancer. It is suggested that oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), phytonutrients that belong to the polyphenol family have an anti-oxidant/anti-inflammatory activity on the skin. Measuring ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) is a non-invasive, fairly-sensitive and convenient technique for continuously monitoring oxidative stress. The present study was undertaken to confirm anti-oxidant activity of the specific OPCs cream formulation in human skin by measuring UPE of skin. In the present study 25 healthy female subjects participated. As a baseline measurement of skin, UPE was recorded from the dorsal surface of the subjects' hands before (spontaneous UPE) and after exposure to UV (UV-induced UPE). The effects of the OPCs cream on spontaneous and UV-induced UPE were measured using a fractionated UV exposure protocol. UV exposure resulted in an increase in UPE from both hands. Repeat UV exposure also resulted in a long-term increase of spontaneous UPE. This is likely due to depletion of anti-oxidant capacity of skin resulting in sensitization of skin to UV. It was assessed by measuring spontaneous UPE at 80 min after each UV exposure. Application of the OPCs cream immediately after UV exposure resulted in a significant (approx. 30%) decrease in UV-induced UPE. Topical OPCs cream application also reduced sensitization of skin to UV following repeated UV exposure (i.e., reduced long-term increase in spontaneous UPE). This study indicates that the specific OPCs cream formulation significantly decreases UV-induced oxidative stress in human skin based on UPE measurement. It therefore suggests that regular use of this OPCs cream might protect skin from harmful effects of UV.

Thermoluminescence in ultra-high dilution research.

OBJECTIVE: Thermoluminescence of homeopathically prepared ultra-high dilutions of lithium chloride in deuterium oxide (D2O) (10 (-30) g cm (-3); C15 LiCl in D2O) and similarly prepared D2O (C15 D2O) was compared in three experiments varying (1) time between preparation of substance and time of experimentation, and (2) time between irradiation and thermoluminescence recording. Data were also compared with a normal solution 0.1 M LiCl in D2O and with pure D2O. METHODS: To record thermoluminescence, the solutions were frozen in liquid nitrogen (77 K, -196 degrees C), irradiated with 1 kGy, and after a succession of definite storage periods, were progressively rewarmed to 238 K (-35 degrees C). RESULTS: Thermoluminescence patterns of C15 LiCl in D2O, C15 D2O, and D2O were similar. The average thermoluminescence intensity of C15 LiCl in D2O tended to be less than C15 D2O when tests were performed shortly after preparation of the substances and with short storage time between irradiation and recording of thermoluminescence. Thermoluminescence of D2O was significantly lower than from C15 D2O, particularly when the time between irradiation and recording was increased. CONCLUSION: The nature of the phenomena here described still remains unexplained. Nevertheless, data suggest that thermoluminescence might be developed into a promising tool to study homeopathically prepared ultra- high dilutions.

Anatomic characterization of human ultra-weak photon emission in practitioners of transcendental meditation(TM) and control subjects.

BACKGROUND: Research on human ultra-weak photon emission (UPE, biophoton emission) has raised the question whether a typical human emission anatomic percentage distribution pattern exists in addition to individual subject overall anatomic summation intensity differences. The lowest UPE intensities were observed in two subjects who regularly meditate. Spectral analysis of human UPE has suggested that ultra-weak emission is probably, at least in part, a reflection of free radical reactions in a living system. It has been documented that various physiologic and biochemical shifts follow the long-term practice of meditation and it is inferred that meditation may impact free radical activity. OBJECTIVE: To systematically quantify, in subjects with long-term transcendental meditation (TM) experience and subjects without this experience, the UPE emission of the anterior torso, head and neck plus the hands in an attempt to document the differences by the two groups. SUBJECTS: Subjects were 20 men reported to be healthy and nonsmokers. Each of the subjects in the meditation group had practiced TM twice daily for at least the past 10 years. METHODS: UPE in 20 subjects was recorded in a dark room using a highly sensitive, cooled photomultiplier system designed for manipulation in three directions. The protocol for multisite registration of spontaneous emission includes recording of 12 anatomic locations of anterior torso, head, and hands. RESULTS: Data demonstrate emission intensities that are lower in TM practitioners as compared to control subjects. The percent contribution of emission from most anatomic locations was not significantly different for TM practitioners and control subjects. Exceptions are the contributions of throat and palm. CONCLUSION: In subjects with long-term TM experience, the UPE emission is different from control subjects. Data support the hypothesis that free radical reactions can be influenced by TM.