Hot and Cold Natures and Some Parameters of Neuroendocrine and Immune Systems in Traditional Iranian Medicine: A Preliminary Study

ABSTRACT Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess differences in persons of a Hot or Cold nature (according to traditional Iranian medicine), in terms of changes in their neuroendocrine and immune systems. Materials and methods: Thirty-seven (37) male volunteers (20–40 years old) were divided into two groups, by whether they had a Hot or Cold nature. In addition, the Warmth/Coldness ratio of all the volunteers was assessed. Plasma concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol, and also the concentrations of interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-4 produced by peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated by mitogen were measured. Results: The results showed that norepinephrine/epinephrine and norepinephrine/cortisol ratios were significantly higher, and that there was a borderline significantly increased IL-4/IFN-γ ratio in the Hot nature group compared with those in the Cold nature group. In addition, there was a significant linear positive correlation between the norepinephrine/epineph...