Balneotherapy, Immune System, and Stress Response: A Hormetic Strategy?

Gálvez, Isabel; Torres-Piles, Silvia; Ortega, Eduardo

doi:10.3390/ijms19061687

Cited by 123 publications

(92 citation statements)

References 119 publications

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“…Sulphur compounds (especially hydrogen sulphide-H 2 S) in therapeutic/thermal waters show a very well-documented beneficial therapeutic effect (e.g. Nasermoaddeli and Kagamimori 2005;Legwant et al 2013;Vela-Anero et al 2017;Gálvez et al 2018). However, hydrogen sulphide might also create a potential risk for water users.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Redox potential research in the field of balneochemistry: case study on equilibrium approach to bioactive elements in therapeutic waters

et al. 2020

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In some countries (e.g. Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Russia, Germany), oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) measurements are required to document the quality of groundwater which are planned to be used as therapeutic waters. ORP is still rarely studied and not fully availed in therapeutic water research. Studies of ORP in various types of therapeutic, mineral and thermal waters in sites of Poland integrated with geochemical equilibrium approach were employed to characterize two redox-sensitive and bioactive elements, i.e. iron and sulphur. Studied waters present reducing conditions (E H between − 406 and − 41 mV) at outflow or extraction sites; however, they significantly differ in terms of total dissolved solids, temperature, and iron, sulphur(II) and sulphate concentrations. These result in recognizable differences, e.g. in terms of saturation state with respect to aquifer rock minerals and the dominating forms of occurrence of elements studied disclosed on the stability field diagrams. Considering the methodological determinants, ORP orchestrated with geochemical modelling tools might be successfully applied for studying natural linkages between various groundwater in natural systems, protecting the therapeutic water resource, and identifying the changes of water quality both at exploitation sites (springs, wells) and treatment places.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Redox potential research in the field of balneochemistry: case study on equilibrium approach to bioactive elements in therapeutic waters

et al. 2020

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“…Some clinical trials provide compelling evidences for significant mineral effects on knee OA in balneotherapy in comparison with the pretreatment or tap water 41,42 . In addition, balneotherapy containing various minerals including bicarbonate, calcium and sulfur, involves reducing serum inflammatory cytokines (i.e., IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, TGF-β), exerting inhibition of the cartilage degradation and pain relief [24][25][26][27][28]43 . The direct mineral effect on OA progression has been examined via the dietary intakes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Balneotherapy in Jeju Magma-Seawater on Knee Osteoarthritis Model

Lee

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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Balneotherapy is a common non-pharmacological treatment for osteoarthritis (OA), however, the efficacy is controversial in knee OA. Jeju magma-seawater (JMS) has high contents of various minerals, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties via an oral route. Thus, we examined the effects of JMS bathing on knee OA and the combination effects with diclofenac sodium as an antiinflammatory drug. Knee OA was induced by transection of the anterior cruciate ligament and the partial meniscectomy in rat. The rats were administered subcutaneously saline or diclofenac sodium in saline, followed by bathing in thermal distilled water or JMS for 8 weeks. The model represented the characteristic changes of the cartilage degradation, osteophyte formation and synovial inflammation, and the relevant symptoms of the joint swelling and stiffness. However, the JMS bathing reduced the joint thickness and improved the mobility. It also contributed to a well-preserved tissue supported by increases in bone mineral density of the joint and decreases in Mankin scores in the cartilages. The effects involved anti-inflammation, chondroprotection, anti-apoptosis, and chondrogenesis. Overall, the JMS bathing in combination with diclofenac sodium showed a similar trend associated with synergic effects. It suggests that JMS bathing can be promising for a clinical use in knee OA. Osteoarthritis (OA), known as a degenerative joint disease, is one of the most common forms of arthritis 1. In particular, knee joint is a load-bearing area primarily affected, and the knee OA accounts for more than 80% of the disease burden 2. Knee OA is caused by a progressive degeneration of joint tissues including the cartilage, subchondral bone, synovial membrane and joint capsule 3. The pathogenesis involves loss of the articular cartilage through death of chondrocyte and depletion of the cartilage components in the extracellular matrix (ECM), mainly proteoglycans and collagen type II, due to an imbalance between catabolic and anabolic activities 4. Although the OA has been classified as a non-inflammatory arthritis, significant presence of synovitis in the patients suggests that inflammation is implicated in the pathogenesis 5. Indeed, maladaptive pro-inflammatory pathways contribute to cell stress in the joint tissues and the ECM degradation 6. The involvement of an inflammatory component is characterized by symptoms of joint pain, swelling and stiffness, and the following physical disabilities lead to a severely impaired quality of life. The prevalence of OA is related to aging, and several factors; systemic factors of dietary intake and bone density, and local factors of muscle weakness, obesity and joint laxity 1. However, the exact causes involved in the multifactorial pathogenesis of knee OA are unclear, and the primary treatment is only partially effective and often associated with the adverse effects. Thus, there is a critical need to establish the therapeutic strategies for knee OA, along with increasing life expectancy and a rise of obesity. C...

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“…Rinaldi et al (2006) demonstrated in vitro that sulphurous mineral water favours the short-term survival of neutrophils, speeding up the resolution of infections and preventing further inflammation. Studies conducted in patients with osteoarthritis who underwent hydrotherapy or mud-bath therapy showed that, after the treatment, neutrophils' circulating and functional capacity increased, reflecting a greater defence capacity against pathogens and thus a potential lower susceptibility to infections (Gálvez et al , 2018a(Gálvez et al , 2018b. Balneotherapy may also contribute to increase cortisol levels in healthy and subhealthy people.…”

Section: Dear Editormentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Regarding the modulation of inflammatory cytokines' activity, mud therapy and balneotherapy can cause a reduction in serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β as well as an increase in anti-inflammatory IGF-1 (Gálvez et al 2018a(Gálvez et al , 2018b. In a psoriasis-like murine model, balneotherapy suppressed lesional IL-23 and IL-17A, cytokines involved in maintaining chronic inflammation (Lee et al 2014).…”

Section: Dear Editormentioning

confidence: 99%