Biochemical Comparison between Radon Effects and the Other Effects on Humans in Radon Hot Spring Therapy

Abstract

The radon effects and the thermal effects were biochemically compared under the condition with the similar chemical component, using as the parameters which are closely involved in the clinical for radon therapy. In the results, the radon and thermal therapy enhanced the antioxidation function, such as the activities of SOD and catalase, which inhibit lipid peroxidation and total cholesterol produce in the body. Moreover the therapy enhanced ConA induced mitogen response, and increased the level of CD4, which is the marker of helper T cell, and decreased the level of CD8, which is the common marker of supresser T cell. Furthermore, the therapy increased the levels of ANP, endorphin, ACTH, insulin and G-6-PDH, and decreased the vasopression level. The results were on the whole larger in the radon group than in the thermal group. The findings suggest that the radon therapy more contributes to the prevention of life style-related diseases related to peroxidation reactions and immune depression than thermal therapy. [J Radiat Res 44:392 (2003)]