Functional and Histologic Assessment of Rat Gastric Mucosa after Chronic Treatment with Sulphurous Thermal Water Gabriella Coruzzi, Maristella Adami, Cristina Pozzoli, Elvira Solenghi, Daniela Grandi Anatomy, Department of Human Anatomy, Pharmacology and Forensic Medicine, University of Parma - COTER srl Consorzio del Circuito Termale dell'Emilia Romagna The effect of a chronic (4 weeks) administration of sulphurous thermal water on gastric acid secretion and mucosal defense was investigated in rats. Animals were randomized to receive daily intake of tap water or of thermal water obtained from a local spa center (Tabiano, Parma, Italy). Rats were followed for one month as for water and food consumption, body weight and general conditions. At the end of the watering period, the following study protocols were carried out: (a) study of basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion under general anesthesia, and (b) study of the gastric mucosal resistance against the damage induced by ethanol and indomethacin in conscious rats. Basal acid secretion and the acid response to pentagastrin or to histamine were similar in rats assuming ordinary drinking water or thermal water. As for resistance to gastric damage, histological, but not macroscopic, evaluation revealed that rats which assumed thermal water were slightly more resistant to the gastrolesive effect of ethanol (either absolute or diluted). Again, when indomethacin was used as a noxious stimulus, no difference was noted between the two groups as for macroscopic damage; only a nonsignificant reduction of damage was observed histologically in stomachs of rats assuming thermal water. In conclusion, these results indicate that chronic treatment of rats with thermal water, rich in sulphur compounds, may have only minimal effects on the rat gastric mucosa and did not significantly affect mucosal defense mechanisms. The observed tendency to gastroprotection would possibly need further investigation with longer periods of administration. farmacologia Pharmacology vol 85 n°3,2010 The In-vitro percutaneous migration of chemical elements from a thermal mud for healing F. Tateo, A. Ravaglioli, C. Andreoli, F. Bonina, V. Coiro, S.Degetto, A. Giaretta, A. Menconi Orsini, C. Puglia, V.Summa Ist. Geoscienza e Georisorse CNR Padova, Ist. Scienza e Tecnol. dei Materiali Ceramici CNR Faenza, Dipartim. Biol. Uni Padova, Dip. Scienze Farmac. Uni Catania, Dip. Med. Int. e Scienze Biomediche Uni Parma, Ist. Clin. Inorganica e delle Sup. Uni Padova, Coter srl Circuito Termale dell'Emilia Romagna, Ist. di Met. e di Analisi Ambientali CNR Padova In-vitro experiments have been developed to ascertain whether pelotherapy applications involve the transfer of chemical elements from the healing mud to the human body, across the skin.All the materials used for therapy (raw clay, mineral water and healing mud obtained after maturation) have been characterised from different points of view (mineralogy, chemistry, exchange properties, radioactivity, grain size and microbiology) in order to get an accurate knowledge of the natural media used for therapy and to follow the development of maturation in the spa centre. A polymineralic silty clay with rather a common mineralogical and chemical composition is used;the mud is matured in a very saline mineral water, of marine origin, for 5 months. Under these conditions the maturation process increases the dispersion of clay particles and allows cation exchange between clays and water, whereas neither microbiological nor mineralogical changes are detectable. In absence of the biologic indicators of mud maturity, the equilibration of clay with mineral water represents an objective quantitative criterion.In-vitro tests have been carried out by using the Franz-type diffusion cells, which show that the transfer of chemical elements across the skin is very well-developed, and also involving many essential or possibly essential elements. The amounts of chemical elements transferred were compared with toxicological guidelines and with world-wide daily requirement models. No concerns appear from the data, whereas a significant supply of some elements results from a typical application of thermal mud (20 minutes, full body). The elements which have been considered in order to represent a significant supply are Li, Sr, B, I, Rb, Br, Ba, Na, Cl, Se and Ca,some of these are essential nutrients. The biological effect of the main elements as well as their possible biological role are briefly discussed. farmacologia Elsevier Ed. System for Applied Clay Science - Clay n° 1601 - 2008 New evidences on spa therapy in fibromyalgia C.Giannitti, B. Bellisai, F. Iacoponi, A.Petraglia, A. Fioravanti UOC di Reumatologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Scienze Immunologiche, Università di Siena, Siena, Italia Spa therapy is one of the most commonly used non-pharmacological approaches for many rheumatic diseases. In Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FS) it may be useful for the chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain. Because of the unknown aetiology and the not clear understood pathogenesis, there is no standard therapy regimen for FS. Also the mechanisms of action of spa therapy are not completely known, but most probably the benefits could be derived from mechanical, physical and chemical factors. Muscle tone and pain intensity can be positively influenced by mud packs and thermal baths. The review of international data from 2000 to 2007 confirms that spa therapy should be a valid tool in the multidisciplinary approach of the Primary FS. farmacologia Clin Ter. 2008 Sep-Oct;159(5):377-80 Does mud pack treatment have any chemical effect? A randomized controlled clinical study E.Odabasi,M. Turan, H. Erdem, F. Tekbas Department of Medical Ecology and Hydroclimatology, Gulhane School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. ersinodabasi@hotmail.com OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to reveal the efficacy of mud pack treatment in patients with knee osteoarthritis and to find the contribution of chemical factors to the build up of these effects. METHODS: Sixty patients were randomly assigned to directly applied mud pack (study) group or to nylon-covered mud pack (control) group. Thirty patients in the study group had mud application 15 times to both knees: heated mud, up to 43 degrees C, was applied to skin directly for 30 minutes. Thirty patients in the control group had the same treatment as the study group except heated mud was applied over an impermeable nylon pack. Primary outcome measures of the study were the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) index, pain intensity on a visual analog scale (VAS), patient's assessment of disease severity index, physician's assessment of disease severity index, and analgesic consumption. The patients were evaluated before and after (end of 15th application) the intervention and followed up for 24 weeks at 4-week intervals. The results were assessed on an intent-to-treat basis. RESULTS: As compared to the baseline, significant decreases were observed in WOMAC, pain intensity, disease severity index scores, and analgesic consumption in both groups after the intervention. Observed improvements in the study group were found to be superior to the control during the whole postintervention follow-up, except for analgesic consumption in the third week. A significant number of patients in the study group showed minimal clinically important improvement as compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Mud pack treatment significantly improved the pain and functional status of patients with knee osteoarthritis, whether applied directly or coated with nylon. Direct application was found to be superior, which implies chemical properties of the mud contribute to the build up of therapeutic effect. farmacologia J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Jun;14(5):559-65 Influence of physical treatment on disease activity and health status of patients with chronic arthritis D.Mustur D, N.Vujasinovic-Stupar N, T. D. Ille 0 INTRODUCTION: This is an open uncontrolled study about effects of physical treatment on disease activity parameters of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to establish if there was any improvement of disease activity parameters after four weeks of physical and spa treatment. METHOD: We compared morning stiffness, tender and swollen joint count, body pain level and Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS-28) in patients with rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, and assessed the effect of physical and spa treatment on those parameters. The research encompassed 109 patients: 69 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA group) and 40 with psoriatic arthritis (PA group). They were from Norway, staying for four weeks in June-September 2003. The groups served as their own controls--"one group pre-test post test" study. Disease activity measurement was made twice: at the beginning and at the end of treatment. The therapeutic set consisted of mud applications, kinesitherapy, mineral water pool and electrotherapy. RESULTS: At the beginning there was no significant difference in observed disease activity parameters between patients with rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis (p min 0.05). After four weeks of physical and spa treatment disease activity was significantly reduced in all observed parameters in both groups: morning stiffness (p mag 0.001 RA + PA), tender joint count (p mag 0.01 RA + PA), swollen joint count (p mag 0.01 RA; p mag 0.05 PA), body pain (p mag 0.01 RA + PA) and DAS-28 score (p mag 0.01 RA+PA). CONCLUSION: Physical and spa treatment, together with climatic factors in Igalo, lead to a significant reduction of disease activity parameters of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. farmacologia Srp Arh Celok Lek. 2008 Mar-Apr;136(3-4):104-9 Lipophilic components of different therapeutic mud species. E.Odabasi, H. Gul, E. Macit, M. Turan, O.Yildiz Department of Medical Ecology and Hydroclimatology, Gulhane School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. ersinodabasi@hotmail.com OBJECTIVE: Mud, which contains organic and mineral ingredients, is used for the treatment of several degenerative diseases. It has been proposed that beneficial effects of mud are not only related to its local thermal effects, but also to its chemical components. Unlike hydrophilic components, the lipophilic components of the mud extract have not been described precisely thus far. Thus, we aimed to determine the lipophilic components of the different mud species. METHODS: Three different mud species (e.g., krenogen, tone, and fango) were analyzed by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). RESULTS: There were organic substances with fatty-acid structures found in the structure of mud. Torf mud species contain the most compounds. The compounds of three mud species differ from each other. CONCLUSIONS: The chemical structure of mud does not only contain hydrophilic organic substances, such as humic, fulmic, and ulmic acids, but also low-molecular-weighted organic substances composed of fatty acids in the majority. Moreover, it would not be appropriate to explain mud with a single term, since it has different chemical structures and a new classification of the mud species is required. farmacologia J Altern Complement Med. 2007 Dec;13(10):1115-8 Is mud an anti-inflammatory? M.I.Giacomino, D.F. de Michele Departmento de Postgrado. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Argentina It s really hard to find a therapeutic tool used along 25 centuries; mud certainly is one. The remote empirism--not actually scientific--allows at least some kind of inferences; if the action of mud over the inflammatory process were neutral or harmful we should knew it. Mud has a place as a non-pharmacological tool in certain clinical settings, such as degenerative articular processes, skin disorders, and others. Babylonians knew its effects. Former scientific explanations regarding the mud action have been communicated in last years by some researchers. Fangotherapy in arthritis patients seems to cause variations in amino acid involved in cartilage homeostasis, and also produce reduction in pain ratings in gonarthrosis. Mud modifies nitric oxide, myeloperoxidase and glutathione peroxidase serum levels in arthritic patients and beta-endorphin and stress hormones in patients affected by osteoarthritis by reducing inflammation, pain and therefore diminishes the cause of stress. Has been confirmed that the thermal stress associated with Fangotherapy, activates the pituitary gland and the biochemical effects of peat components have aside from their physical-thermal effects. Furthermore, steroids and antimicrobial activity of certain therapeutic mud has been suggested. farmacologia An Med Interna. 2007 Jul;24(7):352-3 A controlled trial of long-term inhaled hypertonic saline in patients with cystic fibrosis M.R.Elkins, M. Robinson, B.R. Rose, C. Harbour, C.P. Moriarty, G.B. Marks, E.G. Belousova, W. Xuan, P.T. Bye; National Hypertonic Saline in Cystic Fibrosis (NHSCF) Study Group Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia BACKGROUND: Inhaled hypertonic saline acutely increases mucociliary clearance and, in short-term trials, improves lung function in people with cystic fibrosis. We tested the safety and efficacy of inhaled hypertonic saline in a long-term trial. METHODS: In this double-blind, parallel-group trial, 164 patients with stable cystic fibrosis who were at least six years old were randomly assigned to inhale 4 ml of either 7 percent hypertonic saline or 0.9 percent (control) saline twice daily for 48 weeks, with quinine sulfate (0.25 mg per milliliter) added to each solution to mask the taste. A bronchodilator was given before each dose, and other standard therapies were continued during the trial. RESULTS: The primary outcome measure, the rate of change (slope) in lung function (reflected by the forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1], and forced expiratory flow at 25 to 75 percent of FVC [FEF25-75]) during the 48 weeks of treatment, did not differ significantly between groups (P=0.79). However, the absolute difference in lung function between groups was significant (P=0.03) when averaged across all post-randomization visits in the 48-week treatment period. As compared with the control group, the hypertonic-saline group had significantly higher FVC (by 82 ml; 95 percent confidence interval, 12 to 153) and FEV1 (by 68 ml; 95 percent confidence interval, 3 to 132) values, but similar FEF25-75 values. The hypertonic-saline group also had significantly fewer pulmonary exacerbations (relative reduction, 56 percent; P=0.02) and a significantly higher percentage of patients without exacerbations (76 percent, as compared with 62 percent in the control group; P=0.03). Hypertonic saline was not associated with worsening bacterial infection or inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertonic saline preceded by a bronchodilator is an inexpensive, safe, and effective additional therapy for patients with cystic fibrosis. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00271310.) Copyright 2006 Massachusetts Medical Society. farmacologia N Engl J Med. Jan 19;354(3):229-40,2006 Comparison between electro-acupuncture and hydrotherapy, both in combination with patient education and patient education alone, on the symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip. E. Stener-Victorin, C. Kruse-Smidje, K. Jung Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. elisabet.stener-victorin@fhs.gu.se OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) and hydrotherapy, both in combination with patient education or with patient education alone, in the treatment of osteoarthritis in the hip. METHODS: Forty-five patients, aged 42-86 years, with radiographic changes consistent with osteoarthritis in the hip, pain related to motion, pain on load, and ache were chosen. They were randomly allocated to EA, hydrotherapy, both in combination with patient education, or patient education alone. Outcome measures were the disability rating index (DRI), global self-rating index (GSI), and visual analogue scale (VAS). Assessments were done before the intervention and immediately after the last treatment and 1, 3, and 6 months after the last treatment. RESULTS: Pain related to motion and pain on load was reduced up to 3 months after last the treatment in the hydrotherapy group and up to 6 months in the EA group. Ache during the day was significantly improved in both the EA and hydrotherapy group up to 3 months after the last treatment. Ache during the night was reduced in the hydrotherapy group up to 3 months after the last treatment and in the EA group up to 6 months after. Disability in functional activities was improved in EA and hydrotherapy groups up to 6 months after the last treatment. Quality of life was also improved in EA and hydrotherapy groups up to 3 months after the last treatment. There were no changes in the education group alone. DISCUSSION: In conclusion, EA and hydrotherapy, both in combination with patient education, induce long-lasting effects, shown by reduced pain and ache and by increased functional activity and quality of life, as demonstrated by differences in the pre- and post-treatment assessments. farmacologia Clin J Pain. May-Jun;20(3):179-85, 2004 Improving homocysteine levels through balneotherapy: effects of sulphur baths. V. Leibetseder, G. Strauss-Blasche, F. Holzer, W. Marktl, C. Ekmekcioglu Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse 17, Vienna A-1090, Austria. Valentin.Leibetseder@univie.ac.at 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. farmacologia Clin Chim Acta. May;343(1-2):105-11, 2004 Clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness evidence of spa therapy in osteoarthritis. The results of "Naiade" Italian Project. A.Fioravanti, M.Valenti, F.Altobelli, F. Di Orio, G. Nappi, A.Crisanti, L.Cantarini, R. Marcolongo Institute of Rheumatology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. fioravanti7@virgilio.it AIM: The "Naiade" Project was carried out in execution of the Decree of December 1994 by the Italian Ministry of Health, with the objective of defining the therapeutic role of spa therapy in the various sectors of medicine. In this study the authors refer to the results obtained in osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: The OA study included the observation of patients for 2 consecutive years, with the compilation of a series of clinical and socio-economic data. The initial sample was of 11437 patients suffering from primary and secondary OA, and in the 2(nd) year the total number of assessable patients was 6111 (53.4%). All patients underwent 1 annual cycle of balneotherapy and mud packs therapy for 2 consecutive years. The thermal treatments were carried out in 98 Italian spas with sulphurous water, sodium chloride-bromide-iodide water, sulphate water, and bicarbonate water. Analysis of the data collected confirmed the clinical efficacy of spa treatments for OA, particularly for localisations in the cervical and lumbar spine. The benefits of these treatments and the persistence of the therapeutic effects over time were clearly demonstrated by the collection of some socio-economic indicators relative to the year before each cycle of thermal therapy. RESULTS: In fact, the analysis of these indicators showed a significant reduction in recourse to additional treatments (hospital admissions, physical and pharmacological therapies) and absence from work. CONCLUSION: The obtained data was particularly interesting for the number of samples examined, the follow-up over a period of 2 years, and the collection of clinical and, especially, socio-economic parameters. The results of the Naiade Project confirmed the value of spa therapies in the treatment of OA. farmacologia Panminerva Medica 45 n°3,211-217, 2003 Effect of mineral waters with different salt composition on changes in parenchymal-stromal ratio of the laryngeal wall glands in rats V.B. Shadlinskii, N.T. Movsumov Department of Human Anatomy, Azerbaijan Medical University, Baku The aim of the present investigation was to study the laryngeal glandular apparatus as influenced by the application of baths with different mineral composition. 100 mature outbred male rats aged 3-4 months with 180-200 g body mass were studied in this investigation (including 60 experimental and 40 control animals). After a 28-days-long balneologic course using mineral waters with different composition, the histological and morphometric study of laryngeal gland was performed in different parts of the organ to assess the relative contents of parenchyma and stroma. As a result of investigation performed it was demonstrated that course application of iodobromine and bituminous baths resulted in an increased parenchymal contribution to the glandular structure with a corresponding reduction in a relative stromal contents. However, course application of strong (concentrated) sulfide baths causes the stromal outgrowth and glandular epithelium reduction. farmacologia Morfologia;123(3):79-82. 2003 Effects of mud-pack treatment on plasma cytokine and soluble adhesion molecule levels in healthy volunteers. S.Basili,F. Martini,P.Ferroni, M. Grassi, A. Sili Scavalli, P.Streva , G. Cusumano, A.Musca, G. Battista Rini Department of Medical Therapy, University of Rome La Sapienza, Viale Del Policlinico, 155 00161 Rome, Italy. stefania.basili@uniroma1.it Department of Medical Therapy, University of Rome La Sapienza, Viale Del Policlinico, 155 00161 Rome, Italy. stefania.basili@uniroma1.it BACKGROUND: The suggested hypothesis of a direct anti-inflammatory property of mud-pack treatment has led us to speculate that its action on the cytokine network might counteract the heat-stress-related effects on platelet and endothelial cell function often reported following hot-spring baths. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the effects of a cycle of 12 daily mud-pack treatments on bio-humoral markers of inflammation, as well as on markers of in vivo platelet and/or endothelial cell activation, in plasma samples obtained from healthy volunteers. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained before (T(0)), at the end of the first treatment (T(1)) and after a cycle of 12 daily mud-pack treatments (T(2)). Plasma cytokines (TNF-alpha IL-1beta, and IL-6) and adhesion molecules (sP-selectin, sE-selectin and sVCAM) levels, as well as hematocrit and complete and differential blood cell counts were determined at every time point. RESULTS: Plasma sP-selectin levels were not modified during treatment, as were not sE-selectin or sVCAM. Similarly, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels were unchanged through a 12 daily mud-pack treatment. Conversely, plasma IL-6 levels were significantly lowered at the end of a 20-min 47 degrees C mud-pack treatment (p minore 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The lack of effects on in vivo platelet and/or endothelial cell activation suggests that hot mud-pack treatment might be used as a relatively safe procedure in patients with atherothrombotic disorders farmacologia Clin Chim Acta.Doc.314:209-14, 2001 Function of the hypothalamic adrenal axis in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome undergoing mud-pack treatment. S.Bellometti,L. Galzigna Thermal Research Center P. d'Abano, Padua, Italy. Thermal Research Center P. d'Abano, Padua, Italy. Fibromyalgia (FM) is a nonarticular rheumatological syndrome associated with diverse clinical and psychological features. One of the major complaints in FM is reduced pain tolerance, especially in tender points (TP) for which patients derive significant benefit from nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs or corticosteroids. Patients with FM also have altered reactivity of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis where the predominant feature is reduced containment of the stress response system through diminished adrenocortical output and feedback resistance. Our results show that mud packs together with antidepressant treatment are able to influence the HPA axis, stimulating increased levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol and beta-endorphin serum levels. The discharge of corticoids in the blood and the increase in beta-endorphin serum levels are followed by a reduction in pain symptoms, which is closely related to an improvement in disability, depression and quality of life. It seems that the synergic association between a pharmacological treatment (trazodone) and mud packs acts by helping the physiological responses to achieve homeostasis and to rebalance the stress response system. To clarify and optimize the effectiveness of this synergic association, studies involving a larger number of FM patients and a different pharmacological treatment are needed. farmacologia Int] Clin Pharmacol Res.19(1):27-33,1999 Serum levels of a prostaglandin and a leukotriene after thermal mud pack therapy. S.Bellometti,L. Galzigna Centro Studi Termali P. d'Abano, Italy. BACKGROUND: Mud pack therapy (MPT) influences the serum levels of several cytokines involved in chondrocyte metabolism and in the pathogenesis of osteoarthrosis. In fact, we have observed decreases of IL-1 and TNF-alpha, involved in cartilage inflammation and destruction, and increases of IGF-1 that have a protective influence on the cartilage. It is known that in osteoarthrosis MPT is also able to decrease pain, largely attributable to the inflammatory response. METHODS: We enrolled 31 subjects undergoing MPT and collected blood samples before and after the therapy to assay serum levels of prostaglandin (PGE2) and leukotriene (LTB4) compounds with potent inflammatory and algesic properties. RESULTS: The study shows a decrease in PGE2 and LTB4 serum levels in all the samples after MPT with no correlation between the PGE2 and LTB4 decreases. CONCLUSIONS: Mud pack therapy exerts a protective effect on the cartilage and is able to induce pain relief by reducing the inflammatory reaction. farmacologia J Investig Med. Apr;46(4):140-5,1998 The effect of a single inhalation of mineral water on the blood hormonal status in healthy volunteers B.P. Khinchagov, N.D. Polushina, V.K. Frolkov o Concentrations of ACTH, TTH, STH, LH, PSH, hydrocortisone, insulin, glucagone, triiodthyronine, thyroxine, aldosterone, glucose and unesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were measured in the blood of 23 healthy male volunteers aged 18 to 35 years 15, 30 and 60 min after a single nose inhalation and oral intake of mineral water Essentuki No. 17. Inhalation of Essentuki No. 17 stimulated secretion of the hormones and some parameters of metabolic reactions: the levels of glucose, NEFA, hydrocortisone, aldosterone, TTH, PSH and LH rose while those of insulin and growth hormone decreased. Oral intake of this water brought about the same changes in the hormone status except blood insulin the levels of which went up. farmacologia Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult. Jan-Feb;(1):36-8. 1998 Aspetti neuroendocrini della terapia termale. Esperienze in corso di terapia inalatoria con acqua salso-bromo-jodica di Salsomaggiore. V.Coiro, G.Varacca, R.Volpi Ist. Clin. Med. Gen. Università di Parma - Terme di Salsomaggiore Dopo aver analizzato le analogie tra le fasi reattive dell’organismo della terapia termale e el fasi di adattamento allo stress, gli autori concludono che la crenoterapia rappresenta uno stimolo stressante capace di attivare i sistemi neuroendocrini ipotalamo-ipofisi-surrene e della beta-endorfina prodotta dall’ipofosic nel modulare la reattività genenrale dell’organismo e quella tessutale di antura flogistico-immunitaria. Vengono presentate osservazioni sperimentali personali sulla risposta si ACTH/cortisolo e beta-endorfina in soggetti normali sottoposti a terapia inalatoria con acqua salsobromojodica di Salsomaggiore Terme (PR), sottolineando della via etmoidaria di assorbimento in corso di terapia inalatoria nella stimolazione ipotalamo-ipofisaria. farmacologia Med. Clin. Term.,II Trim, 1997 Effetti coleretico e colagono dell’acqua sulfureo-solfato calcica di Tabiano sulla colestasi nell'epatopatia alcool-correlata V.Coiro, R.Volpi, P.P.Vescovi Ist. Clin. Ter. Med. Gen. Uni.Parma - Terme di Tabiano Venti alcolisti maschi (40/60 anni) astinenti da due settimane e affetti da epatopatia steatosica con indici laboratoristici di colestasi alterati (aumentati valori di bilirubina totale e diretta, di gramma-glutamil-transpeptidasi e di fosfatasi alcalina) sono stati per 3 settimane con 500 ml/die p.o. di placebo ( acqua fontis) (N 10) (gruppo I) o acqua sulfureo- solfato calcica della fonte Pergoli di Tabiano (Pr) (N.10). gli indici laboratoristici di colestasi sono stati misuati prima e dopo il trattamento idropinico e sono stati paragonati ai valori ottenuti in 10 soggetti maschi normali di età simile a quella degli alcolisti. E’ stato anceh sottoposto a valutazione quantitativa soggettiva con metodo a doppio cieco il sintomo prurito negli alcolisti. Inoltre, al fine di valutare l’effetto della terapia idropinica sulla cinesi colecistica, le areee bidimensionali relative ai diametri massimi longitudinale e trasversale della colecisti sono state valutate ecograficamente negli alcolisti prima (tempo 0) e dopo 20.40 e 60 minuti dall’assunzione di un carico di 500 ml di placebo (gruppo I) o di acqua Pergoli (gruppo I). i risultati hanno dimostrato una significatica riduzione dell’area colecistica misuarata negli alcolisti del gruppo II, ma non in quelli del gruppo I. inoltre 3 settimane di trattamento con acuqa Pergoli hanno ridotto in modo significativo, riportando a livelli simili a quelli normali, le concentrazioni di birulina totale e diretta e gli indici enzimatici di colestasi, migliorando inoltre significativamente il sintomo prurito. Questi parametri sono invece rimasti immodificati negli slcolisti trattati con placebo. Questi dati dimostrano che nell’uomo la somministrazione per via orale dell’acqua sulfureo-solfato calcica Pergoli esercita attività colagoga. Questo effetto, unitamente alla già nota azione coleretica, fa di quest’acqua un possibile elemento terapeutico di supporto alla terapia della colestasi nell’alcolismo farmacologia Clin. Ter.148:15-22,1997 Mud pack therapy in osteoarthrosis. Changes in serum levels of chondrocyte markers. S.Bellometti, M. Cecchettin, L. Galzigna Centro Studi Termali P. d'Abano, Montegrotto Terme, Italy. Centro Studi Termali P. d'Abano, Montegrotto Terme, Italy. We have previously shown that thermal mud therapy is able to influence chondrocyte activity of osteoarthrosic patients by modulating the production of serum cytokines, such as interleukin 1, and this was related to the presence of an anti-inflammatory principle in mature thermal mud. Mud therapy influences many biochemical processes of the body, independently of the thermic stimulation alone and the present paper documents specific increases of insulin growth factor 1 and decreases of tumor necrosis factor alpha in serum of osteoarthrosic patients after 12 days of mud pack application. farmacologia Clin Chim Acta Dec 10;269(1-2):101-6,1997 Mud pak treatment increases serum antioxidant defenses in osteoarthrosic patients S. Bellometti, M. Cecchettin, A. Lalli, L. Galzigna Istituto Facoltà di Medicina Università di Padova- Dip. Patol. Clinica -Ist. G. Pini Milano- Centro Studi Termali P.d'Abano - Abano-Montegrotto Terme Alcuni studi suggeriscono un ruolo anche dei radicali liberi nella patogenesi dell'osteoartrosi. Gli AA hanno dosato i livelli serici di ceruloplasmina, transferrina e di malondialaldeide (MDA ) in 13 osteoartrosici prima e alla fine di un ciclo di 12 gg di fangoterapia, come indici della difesa antiossidativa i primi due e marker del danno ossidativo il terzo. Ceruloplasmina e transferrina risultano a fine ciclo statisticamente e significativamente aumentate e correlativamente la MDA diminuita. Il risultato suggerisce anche una azione antiossidativa della fangoterapia oltre alla classica attività antiinfiammatoria. farmacologia Biomed Pharmacother 1996:50-37 Elsevier,Paris Improvement of haemorrheological alterations in alcoholicistics by sulfureus water treatment V.Coiro, P.P. Vescovi Università di Parma Blood and plasma viscosy, and whole blood filterability (VB), were evaluated in 10 normale controls ( 40-60 years old) and 20 age- matched alcoholic patiens before and after treatment for 2 weeks with 500 ml/day p.o. of sulfurous water (n. 10) or a placebo (aqua fontis) (n.10). metabolic ( total cholesterol, triglyceride, uric acid, fasting glucose and fibrinogen levels) and haematological (red, white cell and platelet count; haematocrit; mean red cell volume) paramenters and plasma glutathione (GSH) levels were also measured in all experimental conditions. Plasma viscosity, fibrinogen and all examined metabolic and haematological (except platelets) paraments were similar in normal controls and alcoholic patients regardless of the use of sulfurous water or placebo. Platelets were always lower in alcoholics than in normal controls. In contrast, alcoholic men showed significantly higher levels of blood viscosity and lower values of VB and plasma GSH levels than normale controls. Two weeks of treatment with the placebo did not change haemorrheological alterations and plasma significatly increased VB values and plasma GSH levels. These data suggest the existence of alterations in red cell plasticity in alcoholics, which can reversed by treatment with sulfurous water, probably by reconstituction of normal cell membrane structure and function. farmacologia Alcologia,7(1),27-33,1995 Improvement of psychometric performance in alcoholics by sulfureous water tretment. V.Coiro, P.P. Vescovi The mean reacting times (+/- standard deviation) in response to 31 visual or auditory stimulations administred within 3 minutes were measured in 60 male alcoholics, matched for age ( 38-60 years), history and clinical conditions and in 30 normal control subjects. Alcoholics were tested twice; once after farmacologia Phys Rehab Kur Med (5),153-158, 1995 Valutazione del rapporto costo-beneficio delle cure termali nell'ambito dell'Azienda USL d Reggio Emilia G.Zanardi, V.Coiro, A.Germano Azienda USL di Reggio Emilia - Ist. Pneum., Ist. Clin Med. Uni.Parma- Terme di Monticelli, Terme di Montecatini,Terme di Tabiano, Terme di S.Andrea Bagni Gli AA hanno ricercato su un totale di 17.683 pazienti sottoposti a cure termali, n°1500 inviati dall'Azienda USl di Reggio Emilia ai vari stabilimenti termali. E' stato eseguito uno studio di ripartizione percentuale delle varie terapie termali, tenendo conto del sesso,dell'età e della professione del campione esaminato. Dal punto di vista clinico l'analisi è stata focalizzata sulla verifica delle richieste di prestazioni sanitarie e quindi del numero di ospedalizzazioni prima e dopo la trapia termale. Dal punto di vista economico si è analizzato se esistevano variazioni del numero delle giornate lavorative perdute e del costo delle terapie farmacologiche e riabilitatove nei soggetti sottoposti a crenoterapia.Il tutto per tipologie di patologie.. A sintesi viene valutato il rapporto costo-beneficio a risparmio di spesa per la USL farmacologia Progetto Naiade - Università di Parma 1995 Short and long-term effect of spa therapy in chronic low back pain. F.Guillemin, F. Constant, J.F. Collin, M. Boulange School of Public Health, University of Nancy, France. School of Public Health, University of Nancy, France. The effect of spa therapy on chronic low back pain (LBP) was assessed in a randomized trial comparing patients undergoing a 3-week therapy programme in a spa resort in France (n = 50) with patients receiving ambulatory care (n = 52). After 3 weeks, patients in the spa group had significant improvement in their spine mobility and functional score (Waddell index) and a reduction in their daily duration of pain, pain intensity and drug consumption. The long-term effect was assessed after 9 months and showed continued reduction in pain and drug consumption, and improvement in spine mobility but no longer in functional score which returned to baseline level. It is concluded that spa therapy has a positive short-term and a moderate long-term effectiveness on chronic LBP. farmacologia Br J Rheumatol. Feb;33(2):148-51,1994 Effect of sulfurous (thermal) water on T lymphocyte proliferative response. S.Valitutti, F.Castellino, P.Musiani Ist. An. Pat. Università di Chieti - Terme di Caramanico Department of Human Pathology, Università G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy. We studied the effect of sulfurous water thermal therapy on the phenotype and the proliferative response of peripheral lymphoid cells from ten subjects affected by chronic upper respiratory disease and from six suffering from articular and periarticular disorders. Sulfurous water (S-H2O) therapy did not modify the phenotype and function of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) nor did it modify systemic immunologic reactivity. A different result was obtained by analyzing the response to mitogens of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in cell cultures containing graduated amounts of S-H2O. These "in vitro" studies have shown an important dose-dependent inhibitory effect of S-H2O on mitogen induced T lymphocyte proliferation and on IL2 production. H2S present in S-H2O seems to be the primary component responsible for inhibition. Our results are consistent with a local immunosuppressive role of S-H2O, which may explain part of the observed therapeutic effect of inhalation therapy on upper respiratory allergic disorders. farmacologia Ann Allergy. Dec;65(6):463-8,1990 Some endocrine effect of balneotherapy M.Cecchettin, E.Molina, C.Costa, R.Zennaro, G.Varacca Ist. Fond. Clin. Lav. Pavia - Ist. Farmac. Università di Parma - Terme di Salsomaggiore The AA. studied the effects of balneotherapy on blood levels of phpsphorus, calcium, corticoadrenal and endogenous opioid in 24 female subjects attending the thermal baths at Salsomaggiore. Results show significant increases in cortisol, parathormone, osteocalcin, 1-25(OH)2 D3 and betaendorphin. farmacologia Int. J. Hormones and Metab.,1987 Comparison between in haled and ingested iodine metabilism A.Costa, F. Cottino, M.Ariano, A. Bacolla, V.Bellero, A.Chiecchio, P.Lorenzini Osp. Mauriziano di Torino - Clin. Ter. Fis. Riab. Uni.Parma - Terme di Salsomaggiore Ten patients with no patology of the respiratory tract inhaled I-131 in aerosol form. At the end of the inhalation experiment about 55 % of the inhaled Iodine remained in the organism, the rest having been exhaled. Of the Iodine wich remained, aboaut 62 % went to the circulation over a 24 hour period and was then withdrawn from the circulation through the thyroid and renal clearances. A fraction of the amount accumulated in the respiratory tract passes into the circulation even after 24 hour period. Three patients received a test dose of I 125 given orally. The passing of the Iodine into the circulation was higher, as higher was the percentage concentrated in the thyroid and tha eliminated in the urine, and lower the percentage left in the organism. farmacologica Journ. Nuclear Med. abd allied sciences, 1982 Effetti neuroendocrini della terapia inalatoria con acqua salsobromojodiche di Salsomaggiore. Ist. Clin. Med. Gen. Uni. Parma - Terme di Salsomaggiore V.Coiro, G.Varacca, R.Vopi, A.Saccani, M.Bocchi, M. Passeri Gli autori indagano le modifiche eventuali indotte dalla terapia inalatoria a getto con acqua salsobromojodica di Salsomaggiore sulla attività dell’asse ipotalamo-ipofisi-surrene. 8 soggetti maschi normali (età media SE:44.25 + - 3.64 ) sono stati sottoposti ad un ciclo standard di 15 giorni di 2 inalazioni giornaliere a getto diretto. Campioni sanguigni sono stati prelevati prima e dopo la terapia inalatoria del mattino eseguita alle ore 8.30 nei soggetti a digiuno e a riposo dalla sera precedente nei giorni 1, 8, e 15, sono stati dosati i livelli circolatori di corticotropina (ACTH), cortisolo e betaendorfina, quali indici dell’attività dell’asse ipotalamo-ipofisi-surrene e quelli di prolattina (PRL) e ormone della crescita (GH), quali markers di sterss aspecifico. I risultati hanno mostrato ceh emntre GH e PRL non si modificano durante il ciclo di cure inalatorie, la beta endorfina aumenta leggermente dopo l’inalazione all’ottavo giorno (nei confronti del primo giorno) e in modo più evidente al 15° giorno. Anche l’ACTH e il cortisolo sono aumentati significativamente alal fine della cura (15°giorno) rispetto al 1° giorno. Inoltre si è osservato un aumento significativo, subito dopo l’inalazione, dei livelli ormonali circolanti. Una significativa correlazione positiva è stata inoltre osservata al 15° giorno tra la risposta della beta-endorfina e quella dell’ACTH sia prima che dopo inalazione. Questi dati dimostranoche un ciclo di terapia inalatoria di 15 giorni è in grado di attivare l’asse ipotalamo-ipofisi-surrene. farmacologia Med. Clin. Term.,III IV Trim, 1966