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Yoga,an ancient Indian cult,is knovn to endow one with perfect physical,mental and spiritual health. Its effect on blood coagulation is not known. A pilot study was conducted, Seven adult males underwent a combination of yogic exercises, daily one hour,for 4 months. Parameters of blood coagulation were estimated before commencement of yoga and then repeated at the end of training. These included: haemoglobin(Hb) gm/dl,haematocrit (Hct), blood platelet counts in thousands/cu mm, activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT) sec, platelet aggregation time(FAT) sec, fibrinogen mg/dl, and euglobulin fibrinolytic activityfFA) measured as area of lysis in sq mm. Final results were compared with the initial ones. All values are expressed as Mean ± SEM.Following yoga, Hb Showed a significant rise from 13.5 ±;, 0.1 to 14.5 ± 0.3 and so did Hct from 44.5 ± 1.1 to 49.3 ± 1.2. FA increased significantly from 271 ± 36 to 443 ± 6 4, it was accompanied by a fall in fibrinogen from 2 54± 17 to 202 ± 10. APTT prolonged from 16.4 ± 0.2 to 17.4 ± 0.7 and so did PAT from 3 3 .O ± 3 .? to 40.1 ± 9.75 though differences here were not significant. Blood platelet counts showed a marginal but significant rise from 336.6 ± 26.3 to 391.6 ± 10.0.This study suggests that yoga induces a state of hypocoagulability evident by raised FA,fall in fibrinogen,suppressed platelet activity and low levels of activated clotting factors. Yogic exercises,therefore,may be instituted for prevention of cardiovascular and thrombotic disorders in man. Benefits of yoga seem to accrue from oarasympathodominance and symnathetic quiescence of the autonomic nervous system brought about by yoga.

SummaryYoga is known to induce beneficial effects on physiological, biochemical and mental functions in man. Its effects on blood coagulation are not known. A study was conducted in seven previously untrained male adults who underwent a combination of yogic exercises, daily for one hour, over a period of four months. Parameters of blood coagulation were estimated before and after the end of yoga training. The following changes were observed: Fibrinolytic activity increased significantly with a concomitant fall in fibrinogen; activated partial thromboplastin time and platelet aggregation time were prolonged; blood and plasma platelets showed a rise; and both haemoglobin and heamatocrit were raised at the end of the training.These findings suggest that yoga induces a state of blood hypocoagulability. The impact of yoga on prevention of cardiovascular and thrombotic disorders is obvious.

No abstract

Background: Ageing is characterized by a gradual decline in body functions and decreased ability to maintain homeostasis. The free radical theory of ageing proposed by Harman D states that ageing is a result of cumulative damage incurred by free radical reactions. Free radicals are highly reactive molecular species with unpaired electrons; generated in the body by several physiological processes. Prime target to free radical attack are the polyunsaturated fatty acids of cell membranes causing lipid peroxidation. The free radicals are neutralized by the exogenous and endogenous antioxidant systems. Oxidative stress occurs when large number of free radicals are produced or the antioxidant activity is impaired. The present study is focused to find out the role of oxidative stress in ageing.Methods: A cross sectional observational study was undertaken to assess the oxidative stress in ageing; by determining the levels of lipid peroxidation product- malondialdehyde (MDA), the antioxidants- superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ceruloplasmin in various age groups. 150 healthy subjects were selected randomly and categorised into three different age groups of 20-30 years, 40-59 years and 60-90 years; with 50 subjects in each group. Results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation.Results: a significant elevation in serum MDA level and a decline in SOD were observed in 40-59 years and 60-90 years age groups. However, an elevated ceruloplasmin level was found in the above age groups.Conclusions: Aforementioned observations are suggestive of an association between oxidative stress and the progression of ageing process.