Biochemical comparison between radon effects and thermal effects on humans in radon hot spring therapy.

Authors: Yamaoka K (1) , Mitsunobu F (2) , Hanamoto K (1) , Shibuya K (1) , Mori S (3) , Tanizaki Y (2) , Sugita K (1)
Affiliations:
(1) Department of Medical Radioscience, Okayama University Medical School (2) Misasa Medical Center, Okayama University Medical School (3) Department of Pharmacology, Okayama University Medical School
Source: J Radiat Res. 2004 Mar;45(1):83-8
DOI: 10.1269/jrr.45.83 Publication date: 2004 Mar E-Publication date: Not specified Availability: full text Copyright: © 2004 Japan Radiation Research Society
Language: English Countries: Not specified Location: Not specified Correspondence address: Yamaoka K :
Phone/Fax: +81-86-235-6852, 1
E-mail: yamaoka@md.okayama-u.ac.jp

Keywords

Article abstract

The radioactive and thermal effects of radon hot spring were biochemically compared under a sauna room or hot spring conditions with a similar chemical component, using the parameters that are closely involved in the clinic for radon therapy. The results showed that the radon and thermal therapy enhanced the antioxidation functions, such as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, which inhibit lipid peroxidation and total cholesterol produced in the body. Moreover the therapy enhanced concanavalin A (ConA)-induced mitogen response and increased the percentage of CD4 positive cells, which is the marker of helper T cells, and decreased the percentage of CD8 positive cells, which is the common marker of killer T cells and suppressor T cells, in the white blood cell differentiation antigen (CD8/CD4) assay. Furthermore, the therapy increased the levels of alpha atrial natriuretic polypeptide (alpha ANP), beta endorphin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), insulin and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH), and it decreased the vasopression level. The results were on the whole larger in the radon group than in the thermal group. The findings suggest that radon therapy contributes more to the prevention of life-style-related diseases related to peroxidation reactions and immune suppression than to thermal therapy. Moreover, these indicate what may be a part of the mechanism for the alleviation of hypertension, osteoarthritis (pain), and diabetes mellitus brought about more by radon therapy than by thermal therapy.

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