Abstract
In the previous paper the author reported that:
1) Serum cholinesterase activity of rheumatoid arthritis showed normalization after 3 weeks of daily thermal baths at 41°C for 10min. in the Spa Itoh.
2) An increase in amplitude or an inversion of type of changes in cholinesterase activity after a bath occured following thermal baths between 4. -14th day, and these changes were explained by the adaptation reaction against a stimulating effect of the Spa treatment.
3) Blood pressur showed also normalization after a series of thermal baths.
The present report describes the effects of thermal bathing and drinking of the hot spring water or electrolyte solutions of similar composition on hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis of rabbits fed cholesterol 0.1gr/kg daily), to study the influence of sulfate and silicate which are contained in the thermal water.
The results obtained were as follows:
1) Daily thermal bathing at 38°C for 20min., commenced simultaneously with cholesterol feeding, showed a remarkable suppressive effect on both hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis after 90 days, compared with tap water bathing and control without bath.
2) Daily thermal bathing in the aged thermal water (stored for a week) at 38°C for 20min. showed no suppressive effect on both hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis compared with control group after 75 days.
3) Internal administration of hot spring water (daily 10cc/kg) showed no difference against the tap water administration (daily 10cc/kg) after 75 days.
4) Daily baths in Na2SO4, solution (SO4 359mg/l as same as in Itoh hot spring) at 38°C for 20min. during 90 clays showed a slightly suppressive effect on both hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis compared with tap water control and control without bath.
5) Daily baths in Na2SO4+Na2SiO3 solution (SO4 359mg/l, Si 9.2mg/l as same as in Itoh spring) at 38°C for 20min. showed a slightly suppressive effect on both hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis, compared with control without bath, but the internal administration of silicate solution (Na2SiO3 7.5mg/kg) for 60 days enhanced hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis compared with tap water administration and control without water administration.
With above-mentioned results, the author discussed the significance of sulfate and silicate, which are absorbed percutaneously while bathing or per os by drinking.
