Humor/laughter decreases catecholamines, inflammatory cytokines, and myocardial infarction occurrence in diabetic patients with coronary artery disease

摘要

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alphalpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) contribute to atherosclerosis, while IL-4 diminishes atherosclerosis. Catecholamines cause myocardial infarction (MI), and increase inflammatory cytokines. Humor/mirthful laughter, by diminishing catecholamines production, can attenuate inflammatory cytokines and increase IL-4, and thus provide cardiovascular protection. 24 diabetic patients were divided into control standard diabetes therapies and experimental group that views additional self-selected humor. Patients in the laughter group had lower epinephrine (EP) and norepinephrine (NEP) levels, resulting in decreased TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-6, MCP-1, and increased IL-4 levels, and a lower incidence of MI. Thus addition of humor/laughter may be an effective cardiovascular preventive adjunct in diabetic care.