Radon Exposure—Therapeutic Effect and Cancer Risk

Maier, Andreas; Wiedemann, Julia; Rapp, Felicitas; Papenfuß, Franziska; Rödel, Franz; Hehlgans, Stephanie; Gaipl, Udo S.; Kraft, Gerhard; Fournier, Claudia; Frey, Benjamin

doi:10.3390/ijms22010316

Cited by 53 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 138 publications

(117 reference statements)

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“…Radon therapy is applied for the treatment of osteoarthritis [ 1 , 2 ], rheumatoid arthritis [ 3 , 4 ] and ankylosing spondylitis [ 5 , 6 ]. The mechanism of action involves the ability of radon to induce anti-inflammatory cytokines and the immune system, especially transforming growth factor-β1, thereby reducing inflammation and subsequently alleviating pain [ 7 , 8 ]. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are closely related to inflammation [ 9–11 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radon inhalation decreases DNA damage induced by oxidative stress in mouse organs via the activation of antioxidative functions

Kataoka

Shuto

Naoe

et al. 2021

Journal of Radiation Research

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Radon inhalation decreases the level of lipid peroxide (LPO); this is attributed to the activation of antioxidative functions. This activation contributes to the beneficial effects of radon therapy, but there are no studies on the risks of radon therapy, such as DNA damage. We evaluated the effect of radon inhalation on DNA damage caused by oxidative stress and explored the underlying mechanisms. Mice were exposed to radon inhalation at concentrations of 2 or 20 kBq/m3 (for one, three, or 10 days). The 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels decreased in the brains of mice that inhaled 20 kBq/m3 radon for three days and in the kidneys of mice that inhaled 2 or 20 kBq/m3 radon for one, three or 10 days. The 8-OHdG levels in the small intestine decreased by approximately 20–40% (2 kBq/m3 for three days or 20 kBq/m3 for one, three or 10 days), but there were no significant differences in the 8-OHdG levels between mice that inhaled a sham treatment and those that inhaled radon. There was no significant change in the levels of 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase, which plays an important role in DNA repair. However, the level of Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased by 15–60% and 15–45% in the small intestine and kidney, respectively, following radon inhalation. These results suggest that Mn-SOD probably plays an important role in the inhibition of oxidative DNA damage.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radon inhalation decreases DNA damage induced by oxidative stress in mouse organs via the activation of antioxidative functions

Kataoka

Shuto

Naoe

et al. 2021

Journal of Radiation Research

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“…Natural radon-rich water, air, and vapor in hot springs and thermal galleys have been traditionally and successfully used for the treatment of various diseases, including rheumatism and asthma [ 16 , 17 ]. However, the role played by radon and/or its progeny remains controversial, with the biological mechanisms triggered by very low radiation doses resulting from such radon exposure yet to be fully elucidated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dosimetry of radon progeny deposited on skin in air and thermal water

Sakoda

Ishimori

Kanzaki

et al. 2021

Journal of Radiation Research

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It is held that the skin dose from radon progeny is not negligibly small and that introducing cancer is a possible consequence under normal circumstances as there are a number of uncertainties in terms of related parameters such as activity concentrations in air and water, target cells in skin, skin covering materials, and deposition velocities. An interesting proposal has emerged in that skin exposure to natural radon-rich thermal water as part of balneotherapy can produce an immune response to induce beneficial health effects. The goal of this study was to obtain generic dose coefficients with a focus on the radon progeny deposited on the skin in air or water in relation to risk or treatment assessments. We thus first estimated the skin deposition velocities of radon progeny in air and thermal water based on data from the latest human studies. Skin dosimetry was then performed under different assumptions regarding alpha-emitting source position and target cell (i.e. basal cells or Langerhans cells). Furthermore, the impact of the radon progeny deposition on effective doses from all exposure pathways relating to ‘radon exposure’ was assessed using various possible scenarios. It was found that in both exposure media, effective doses from radon progeny inhalation are one to four orders of magnitude higher than those from the other pathways. In addition, absorbed doses on the skin can be the highest among all pathways when the radon activity concentrations in water are two or more orders of magnitude higher than those in air.

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“…Although the physiological and cellular mechanisms induced by the very low radiation doses resulting from the radon and radon-progeny exposures are still not yet fully understood, several studies in the Gastein treatment facilities have proven the effectiveness of therapeutic radon treatment [3][4][5][6][7]. A comprehensive list of recommended indications for radon treatment and a summary of clinical trials with radon applications have recently been published by Maier et al [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dosimetric Comparison of Exposure Pathways to Human Organs and Tissues in Radon Therapy

Hofmann

Lettner

Hubmer

2021

IJERPH

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Three therapeutic applications are presently prescribed in the radon spas in Gastein, Austria: exposure to radon in a thermal bath, exposure to radon vapor in an exposure chamber (vapor bath), and exposure to radon in the thermal gallery, a former mine. The radiological exposure pathways to human organs and tissues in these therapeutic radon applications are inhalation of radon and radon progeny via the lungs, radon transfer from water or air through the skin, and radon-progeny deposition on the skin in water or air. The objectives of the present study were to calculate radon and radon-progeny doses for selected organs and tissues for the different exposure pathways and therapeutic applications. Doses incurred in red bone marrow, liver, kidneys, and Langerhans cells in the skin may be correlated with potential therapeutic benefits, while doses to the lungs and the basal cells of the skin indicate potential carcinogenic effects. The highest organ doses among the three therapeutic applications were produced in the thermal gallery by radon progeny via inhalation, with lung doses of 5.0 mSv, and attachment to the skin, with skin doses of 4.4 mSv, while the radon contribution was less significant. For comparison, the primary exposure pathways in the thermal bath are the radon uptake through the skin, with lung doses of 334 μSv, and the radon-progeny attachment to the skin, with skin doses of 216 μSv, while the inhalation route can safely be neglected.

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Radon Exposure—Therapeutic Effect and Cancer Risk

Cited by 53 publications

References 138 publications

Radon inhalation decreases DNA damage induced by oxidative stress in mouse organs via the activation of antioxidative functions

Radon inhalation decreases DNA damage induced by oxidative stress in mouse organs via the activation of antioxidative functions

Dosimetry of radon progeny deposited on skin in air and thermal water

Dosimetric Comparison of Exposure Pathways to Human Organs and Tissues in Radon Therapy

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