Improving homocysteine levels through balneotherapy: effects of sulphur baths.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Plasma homocysteine (tHcy) is a risk factor for cardio-vascular diseases. Furthermore it has been associated with antioxidative status. Additionally balneotherapeutic sulphur baths have been shown to influence antioxidative status.

METHODS:

40 patients with degenerative osteoarthrosis were randomised into two equal groups, a treatment group, receiving stationary spa therapy plus daily sulphur baths (sulphur group) and a control group receiving spa therapy alone (control group). Blood tHcy levels and urinary 8-OHdG (an indicator for oxidative stress) were measured at the beginning and the end of spa therapy.

RESULTS:

tHcy (micromol/l) was significantly reduced from 11.41 (+/-2.91) to 10.55 (+/-2.28) in the sulphur group (p=0.016) and rose insignificantly from 12.93 (+/-2.28) to 13.80 (+/-3.87) in the control group. 8-OHdG (ng 8-OHdG/mg creatinine) declined from 18.00 (+/-18.28) to 11.16 (+/-5.33) in the sulphur group (n.s.) and from 17.91 (+/-5.87) to 18.17 (+/-5.70) in the control group (n.s.). Differences between the two groups showed significant effects of sulphur baths for tHcy (p=0.006) but not for 8-OHdG (p=0.106).

CONCLUSIONS:

Sulphur baths exert beneficial effects on plasma tHcyt whereas effects on 8-OHdG seem to be unlikely.

• Authors: Valentin Leibetseder, Gerhard Strauss-Blasche, Franz Holzer, Wolfgang Marktl, Cem Ekmekcioglu
• Journal: Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry (Clin Chim Acta) Vol. 343 Issue 1-2 Pg. 105-11 (May 2004) ISSN: 0009-8981 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 15115681 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Homocysteine
• Sulfur
• 8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine
• Deoxyguanosine
• Creatine

Topics

• 8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine
• Antioxidants
• Baths
• Creatine (urine)
• Deoxyguanosine (analogs & derivatives, urine)
• Female
• Homocysteine (blood)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Osteoarthritis (blood, therapy, urine)
• Sulfur (therapeutic use)