Effect of housing rats within a pyramid on stress parameters. "The Giza pyramids of Egypt have been the subject of much research. Pyramid models with the same base to height ratio as of the Great Pyramid of Giza, when aligned on a true north-south axis, are believed to generate, transform and transmit energy. Research done with such pyramid models has shown that they induced greater relaxation in human subjects, promoted better wound healing in rats and afforded protection against stress-induced neurodegnerative changes in mice. The present study was done to assess the effects of housing Wistar rats within the pyramid on the status of oxidative damage and antioxidant defense in their erythrocytes and cortisol levels in their plasma. Rats were housed in cages under standard laboratory conditions. Cages were left in the open (normal control), under a wooden pyramid model (experimental rats) or in a cubical box of comparable dimensions (6 hr/day for 14 days). Erythrocyte malondialdehyde and plasma cortisol levels were significantly decreased in rats kept within the pyramid as compared to the normal control and those within the square box. Erythrocyte reduced glutathione levels, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly increased in the rats kept in the pyramid as compared to the other two groups. There was no significant difference in any of the parameters between the normal control and rats kept in the square box. The results showed that exposure of adult female Wistar rats to pyramid environment reduces stress oxidative stress and increases antioxidant defense in them."

Influence of alignment of the pyramid on its beneficial effects. "The present study was aimed to find out whether a change in the alignment of the pyramid from the north-south axis causes any variation in the effects produced by it on plasma cortisol levels and markers of oxidative stress in erythrocytes of adult-female Wistar rats. Plasma cortisol and erythrocyte TBARS levels were significantly lower whereas erythrocyte GSH was significantly higher in rats kept in pyramid that was aligned on the four cardinal points--north, east, south and west, as compared to normal control rats. Although there was a significant difference in the plasma cortisol level between normal control group and the group of rats kept in randomly aligned pyramid, there was no significant difference between these two groups for the other parameters. Erythrocyte TBARS levels in the group of rats kept in the randomly aligned pyramid was significantly higher than that in the group kept in the magnetically aligned pyramid. The results suggest that the north-south alignment of the pyramid is crucial for its expected effects."

Biological phenomena within a pyramid model--a preliminary study on wound healing. "The Great pyramid of Egypt has evoked a keen interest, both for its architectural marvel and mystical significance. Strange things (viz sharpening of razors, longer shelflife of vegetables, altered states of consciousness in humans) are said to occur within a pyramid constructed in the exact geometric proportion to that of Great Pyramid and kept with any of its diagonals aligned north-south along the magnetic axis of the earth. Not much is available in the literature that have subjected "biological phenomenon within a pyramid" to the scientific scrutiny. This is just a preliminary study with that objective. Wound healing, being a physiological response of the body to injury, the measurement of 'breaking strength' of incisional wound offers an easy, objective method of assessing wound healing. The study consisted a 'control group' and 'a test group', each of 12 albino rats (Wistar). A paramedian 1" incisional wound was created in both the groups. The controls were kept in the usual rat cages while the 'test group' within a wooden pyramid (18" x 28.25" x 26.9"). The breaking strength of the wounds were assessed on the 10th post-wounding day using Kulkarni's modified Lee and Tong method and the results showed a significantly higher value (P < .05) for the test group. Further there was histological evidence of better wound healing in the test group."

Photo: flickr/JoreJj Z. Elprehzleinn

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