miRNAs may change rapidly with thoughts: The Relaxation Response after myocardial infarction

Abstract Introduction Mental stress is potentially a major cardiovascular risk factor. Meditation and listening to music may be able to compensate by eliciting the Relaxation Response (RR) with a beneficial prognostic impact after myocardial infarction (MI), reducing the progression of the arteriosclerotic process and improving coronary blood flow. We aimed to study a possible epigenetic mechanism of the RR speculating that circulating microRNAs levels could change during relaxation. Methods We enrolled 150 consecutive patients after MI. 50 were trained to meditate, 50 given music appreciation and 50 served as controls. In addition, in order to rule out that the disease state could interfere with the possible movement of microRNAs, we enrolled 50 healthy volunteers (25 were trained to meditate and 25 had music appreciation). After training, and after 60 days of RR practice, we studied the individual variation, before and after the relaxation session, of some important cardiovascular circulating microRNAs: the microRNA-1, −16, −24, −33, −92, −144, −146, −155. Results As the RR appeared to be triggered in the same way irrespective of whether this was by music or meditation data was combined. After the RR, a reduction in microRNA-16, −33, −92, −144, −146, −155 (p  Conclusions The RR modulates some microRNAs levels suggesting that psychic activity may be an important epigenetic and pathophysiological factor in the arteriosclerotic process and in ischemic heart disease. In particular, the analyzed microRNAs levels seems to vary in relation to the state of stress or relaxation of the subjects.