The Effect of Na₂SO₄·NaHCO₃ Bathing (3)

Increase of pCO₂ and tissue perfusion by serial bathing

Abstract

The warming effect following serial bathing in the water containing Na₂SO₄·NaHCO₃ was studied in rabbits by mass spectrometry.
Rabbits, weighing about 2kg, were placed in a bath containing Na₂SO₄·NaHCO₃ (33g/20l) at 36-37°C for 20 minutes every day for 3 weeks.
By mass spectrometry, the subcutaneous tissue perfusion rate was calculated on the basis of changes in the partial pressure of Argon injected on diffusion membrane of the sensor catheter.
The mean subcutaneous pCO₂ was 46.6±14.6mmHg in the Na₂SO₄·NaHCO₃ bath group and 28.8±6.7mmHg in the control tap water group; the tissue perfusion rate in these two groups was 26.78±6.45ml/100g/min and 20.32±7.15ml/100g/min, respectively.
The warming effect of Na₂SO₄·NaHCO₃ bathing is thought to be derived from increased metabolism and micro-circulation dynamics resulting from dermal stimulation by Na₂SO₄·NaHCO₃.