Effects Of Slow Breathing Exercises On Reduction Of Arterial Blood Pressure And Changes In Noergic Biomarkers Over Meridians

These studies observe the effects of slow breathing exercises (SBE) on arterial blood pressure (ABP) and nitric oxide (NO)‐ cGMP/nitrotyrosine concentrations over meridians in healthy volunteers and essential hypertension patients. Device (RespeRate)‐guided SBE was performed for 30 min in healthy volunteers. Hypertensive patients practiced SBE for 30 min daily over 7 days. A biocapture device was taped to the skin over the Pericardium and Bladder Meridian before and after SBE. The concentrations of total nitrate and nitrite, cGMP and nitrotyrosine, a stable end‐product of oxidative stress mainly from peroxynitrite, in the samples were quantified using chemiluminescence and ELISA. ABP, heart rate, and breathing rate were measured in the morning and afternoon each day from study diaries. Results show that cGMP levels are decreased and levels of nitrotyrosine over acupoints are as much as 6 fold higher in hypertensive patients. SBE increased cGMP levels over acupoints in both normatensive and hypertensive subjects. Nitrotyrosine concentrations are significantly reduced following a seven day SBE in hypertensive patients. Averaged ABP during 7 days's measurements following SBE were significantly decreased in hypertensive patients. Results suggest that restored NO‐cGMP bioavailability resulting in reduction of nitrotyrosine level is associated with a reduction of ABP induced by SBE.