ABSTRACT
Previously one of our colleagues reported that the serial bathing (twice a day for 3 weeks) in a cold spring, Kan-no-Jigoku (simple hydrogen sulfide spring of 14°C) resulted in clinical improvements for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In that study, the effect on immune functions was also investigated, since RA is characterized by immune abnormalities. The following results were obtained.<br>1. No change was observed in serum gamma globulin levels and hemolytic complement activities.<br>2. Rheumatoid factor titers after the latex fixation test were improved in 2 out of 8 cases, by 1-2 steps after 2 weeks of bathing.<br>3. Circulating immune complex levels, which were significantly higher initially, fell gradually during 3 weeks of bathing, but insignificantly.<br>4. OKT4T cells decreased significantly after 3 weeks of bathing, while OKT3 and OKT8T cells decreased insignificantly. The OKT4/OKT8 ratio was elevated slightly after serial bathing of 3 weeks.<br>5. Plasma prostaglandin E levels were elevated significantly after 2 weeks, but returned to the initial levels after 3 weeks of bathing, although all the levels were within normal range. No such changes of them were observed by a hot spring bathing.<br>6. Plasma cyclic AMP levels, which were a little higher than the normal range in 3 out of 9 cases initially, were also elevated significantly after 1 week of bathing and returned to the initial levels thereafter gradually, while no significant changes of them were observed by a hot spring bathing.<br>7. Urinary hydroxyproline excretion was not changed by the serial bathing.<br>From the above results it was suggested that a cold spring bathing may give an immunosuppressive effect to a living body, resulting in benefit for RA patients.