Effects of Qigong on the Immunity

An introduction to the immune system appeared in 13(a) and 13(b). Early research on the effects of Qigong concentrated mainly on the examination of blood, especially with reference to the numbers, proportions, and morphological features of the formed elements (hemograms). The white blood cell count of subjects that was normal or low increased after Qigong practice. In particular, the percentage of lymphocytes, white blood cells that originate from lymphoid stem cells, was elevated. The phagocytic power of granulocytes was strengthened. The activity of saliva muramidase (also called, lysozyme, which damages bacterial cell walls) was enhanced (1, 3, 4). The serum total complement and the C3 level was also increased (2,3,4).

Further research showed that Qigong had a homeostatic effect on immune function. After practicing Qigong, the elevated white blood cell count decreased for appendicitis patients, while the low count increased to normal for cancer patients, who had undergone radiotherapy and chemotherapy (5).

Qigong also influences the immunoglobulin (2) content. After practicing Qigong for three months, the average increases were: serum IgG by 288mg/ml, IgA by108 mg/ml, and IgM by 108 mg/ml (5). Another report showed that saliva SIgA rose significantly, while a high level of IgG normalized after Qigong practice (6).

Cellular immunity was also affected by Qigong practice (8, 9). In one study, the lymphocyte transformation rate increased by1.1% after three months of doing Qigong.

A wreath is 1 tumor cell joined to 3 or more erythrocytes or red blood cells (rbc’s). It is an example of an immune complex, interlocking antigens and antibodies (2). Under normal conditions soluble immune complexes bind C3b and C3b binds to CR1 receptors on red cells. Breakdown of C3b generates a fragment (C3d) that binds to antigens enhancing their uptake from the bloodstream by macrophages in the spleen and Kupffer cells in the liver. In some circumstances, immune complexes continue to circulate. Eventually they become trapped in the tissues of the kidneys, lung, skin, joints, or blood vessels. Their final disposition probably depends on the nature of the antigen, the class of antibody, and the size of the complex. There they set off reactions that lead to inflammation and tissue damage (2).

Another study, conducted on 30 cancer patients after they had practiced Qigong for 30 days, revealed the following averages. The wreath rate of rbc’s C3d rose from 8.40% to 12.40%, while the wreath rate of erythrocyte circulating immune complexes dropped from 10.95% to 6.41%. In addition, the reducing power of neutrophilic granulocytes increased by about 24% and phagocytocis improved by 18%.

The Leukocyte Adherence Inhibition (LAI) Test is a test for cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity and related serum blocking factors based on the finding that leukocytes from cancer patients, but not from controls, when mixed in vitro with antigenic extracts of tumors of the same histological type, undergo a decrease in their normal adherence to glass surfaces. Adherence to the endothelium of the vasculature is important so that phagocytic cells can get to the site of the tumor or pathogen (2). The LAI test declined from 72.5% before Qigong practice to 52.16% after practice (8).

Another clinical study of cancer patients (10) found that Qigong practice significantly increased their rbc’s C3b and rate of lymphocyte transformation and phagocytosis.

Other research revealed that the activity of natural killer cells was enhanced and the level of interferon increased (1,2) after Qigong practice (7, 9).