Health effects of a forest environment on natural killer cells in humans: an observational pilot study.

ABSTRACT: Health effect assessments based on natural killer (NK) cells are an important emerging area of human health. We recruited 90 forest staff members in Xitou, Taiwan and 110 urban staff members in Taipei to investigate the health effects of forest environment exposure on NK cells (CD3^-/CD56⁺) and activating NK cells (CD3^-/CD56⁺/CD69⁺) in humans. We also invited 11 middle-aged volunteers in a pilot study to participate in a five-day/four-night forest trip to Xitou forest to investigate the health effects of a forest trip on NK cells and activating NK cells. Results showed that NK cells were higher in the forest group (19.5 ± 9.1%) than in the urban group (16.4 ± 8.4%). In particular, the percentage of NK cells was significantly higher in t

SUBMITTER: Tsao TM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5893257 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature