Improving homocysteine levels through balneotherapy: effects of sulphur baths.

Authors: Leibetseder V (1) , Strauss-Blasche G (1) , Holzer F (2) , Marktl W (1) , Ekmekcioglu C (1)

Affiliations:

(1) Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Vienna (2) Kurzentrum, Baden bei Wien, Austria

Source: Clin Chim Acta. 2004 May;343(1-2):105-11

Language: English Countries: Austria Location: Kurzentrum, Baden bei Wien, Austria Correspondence address: Valentin Leibetseder : Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse 17, Vienna A-1090, Austria. Valentin.Leibetseder@univie.ac.at

Keywords

Article 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.

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