And Natural Killer Cells in Peripheral

T-lymphocyte subsets (T-helper and T-suppressor cells) and Natural Killer (NK) cells has been recognized as an important cellular component of the immune system. T-helper cells mediates immune response by providing help to B-lymphocytes in antibody production as well as these cells on activation produces soluble factors that amplifies immune response of the host. On the other hand T- suppressor/ cytotoxic cells are capable of killing tumor and infected cells. NK cells are surveillance cells of the immune system that can directly destroy tumor cells and infected cells very efficiently without any prior sensitization. Considering their importance in immune response, present study was done to enumerate these cells in peripheral blood of ‘Art of Living (AOL) ’ teachers, normal controls and cancer patients by flowcytometry in order to find out if there is any change in these groups. In the present study total T-cells and its T-helper subset were significantly higher in AOL teachers and normal controls as compared to cancer patients. However, no significant difference occurs in these cells between AOL teachers and normal subjects. A significant difference was found in NK cells that was significantly higher (p<.0001) in AOL teachers as compared to normal and cancer patients. No significant difference was seen in NK cell population between normal subjects and cancer patients. Since other factors are same in normal subjects and AOL teachers the higher NK cells in AOL teachers could be attributed to the practice of AOL (Sudarshan Kriya)