Elevation of Antioxidant Enzymes in the Clinical Effects of Radon and Thermal Therapy for Bronchial Asthma.

Abstract

An increased systemic production of oxygen-free radicals by activated inflammatory cells is thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of asthma. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical effects of radon and thermal therapy on asthma in relation to antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxide. Radon and thermal therapy were performed once a week. All subjects went to a hot bathroom with a high concentration of radon, and nasal inhalation of vapor from a hot spring was performed for 40 min once a day under conditions of high humidity. The room temperature was 48 degrees C; the room radon concentration was 2,080 Bq/m3. Blood samples were collected at 2 h, 14, and 28 days after the first therapy. A blood sample also was collected before the first therapy (at body temperature and background radon level) to be used as the control. The forced expiratory volume in one second (%FEV1) was significantly increased 28 days after the first therapy. On day 28, the catalase (CAT) activity was significantly increased in comparison with the control. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly increased compared to the control after first inhalation. On days 14 and 28, the lipid peroxide level was significantly decreased in comparison with the control. In conclusion, the present pilot study has shown that radon and thermal therapy improved the pulmonary function of asthmatics by increasing the reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes.

Activation of Antioxidant System by Low Dose Radiation and Its Applicable Possibility for Treatment of Reactive Oxygen Species-Related Diseases

“…On days 14 and 28, the lipid peroxide level was significantly decreased in comparison with the control. In conclusion, the present pilot study has shown that radon and thermal therapy inproved the pulmonary function of asthmatics by increasing the reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes [44].…”

Radon Inhalation Protects Mice from Carbon-Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatic and Renal Damage

“…Most conditions treated with radon therapy are lifestyle-related diseases such as arteriosclerosis, osteoarthritis [23], and bronchial asthma [24]. To assess the effects of radon, we have co-developed a radon exposure system (OZ PLAN Co., Ltd. Okayama, Japan); radon inhalation using this system activated antioxidative functions in the liver, kidney, lung, and brain of mice, including suggesting the possibility of a new therapy to treat liver, kidney, lung, and brain damage [25].…”

Protective Effects of Radon Inhalation on Carrageenan-Induced Inflammatory Paw Edema in Mice

“…Radon therapy is performed for various diseases, such as ankylosing spondylitis, chronic polyarthritis, spondylosis deformans, osteoarthritis [15], and bronchial asthma [16], at Misasa Medical Center, Okayama University Hospital. Hepatic and renal damage are not the primary indications for radon therapy.…”

“…Most conditions treated with radon therapy are lifestyle-related diseases, such as arteriosclerosis, osteoarthritis [15], and bronchial asthma [16]. To assess the effects of radon, we have co-developed a radon-exposure system for small animals (OZ PLAN Co., Ltd. Okayama, Japan); using this system we demonstrated that radon inhalation activated antioxidative functions in the liver, kidney, lung, and brain of mice [17].…”