Safety and efficacy of Rezūm water vapor thermal therapy system in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Rezūm Water Vapor Thermal Therapy system in the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Methods:The clinical data of 22 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia treated with Rezūm Water Vapor Thermal Therapy system in Boao Yiling Life Care Center in Hainan from December 2020 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, with age of (61.0±5.9) years, prostate volume of (43.7±8.4) ml. international prostate symptom score (IPSS) of (19.3±3.7), quality of life (QOL) score of (4.2±0.8), maximum urinary flow rate (Q max) of (11.9±3.4) ml ml/s, and residual urine volume (PVR) of (14.0±19.0). For 19 patients with sexual life, the International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire-5 (IIEF-5) were 17.0±5.5, the Men's Sexual Health Questionnaire-Ejaculatory Dysfunction Score (MSHQ-EjD) ejaculatory function score were 10.0±3.2, and the ejaculatory satisfaction score were 1.5±1.0. Twenty-two patients underwent Rezūm Water Vapor Thermal Therapy under intravenous anesthesia (general anesthesia without intubation) in the dorsal lithotomy position. The Rezūm system consisted of reusable thermal steam treatment device and disposable prostate thermal steam treatment instrument. The thermal steam treatment device used radiofrequency energy to heat sterile distilled water, generating high-temperature steam at 103℃. In a 9-second timeframe, the tissue temperature within each treatment area was raised approximately 70℃, causing cell death and resulting in a shrink in prostate tissue volume. The disposable prostate thermal steam treatment instrument could be inserted through a cystoscope and had a retractable needle tip that extends to a length of 10.25 mm. The needle tip had 12 evenly distributed holes arranged in three rows of four holes each, with a spacing of 120° between rows, allowing for even diffusion of thermal steam along the circumference. The patient was placed in a lithotomy position, and the disposable prostate thermal steam treatment instrument was used to examine the prostate, urethra, and bladder via cystoscopy, assessing the lateral lobes and median lobe of the prostate. The tissue spacing within each field of view of the treatment instrument is 0.5 cm, and the distance from the bladder neck to the verumontanum is calculated. The first needle was injected at 3 o’clock along the left lobe, withdrawing 2 fields of view each time. During the release of thermal steam, the needle tip was positioned perpendicular to the prostate urethral mucosa, and each needle injection delivered 0.42 ml of sterile distilled water-formed thermal steam into the prostate tissue. The thermal steam injection lasted for 9 seconds, followed by a 2-3 seconds waiting period before retracting the needle tip. One needle was injected per 2 fields of view, progressing towards the proximal urethra of the verumontanum. The same method was used to treat the right lobe. For cases with significant median lobe enlargement, two fields of view were retracted at the bladder neck, and the needle was inserted at a 45° angle. The second needle was injected at intervals determined by the extent of median lobe enlargement. Each puncture point was observed for no significant bleeding, and the instrument was then removed, with an F16/F18 silicone catheter left in place. The operative time as well as indwelling catheter time were recorded. The clinical parameters such as IPSS, QOL, prostate volume, Qmax, PVR, QOL, IIEF-5 and MSHQ-EjD at preoperative and 12 to 22 weeks post operation were compared. Adverse events from the Rezūm procedure to 12-22 weeks postoperatively were recorded. Results:All the operations were successfully completed. The operation time of Rezūm system was 3.9±1.6 min, and the indwelling catheter time after operation was 4.8±1.1 days. The IPSS scores of 22 patients at 12-22 weeks after operation were 4.4±3.3, whose reduction was 14.9±4.4 compared with these at baseline( P<0.01). The PV was (37.7±8.4)ml, Qmax was (25.5±9.6)ml/s, PVR was (6.2±8.1)ml, and QOL was 1.6±0.9, all demonstrating statistically significant differences compared to preoperative values ( P<0.05). Among the 19 cases with sexual activity, the IIEF-5 score was 20.4±3.2, and the ejaculatory function score of MSHQ-EjD was 13.1±3.1, both showing statistically significant differences compared to preoperative scores ( P<0.05). The ejaculatory satisfaction score of MSHQ-EjD was 1.1±0.5, and there was no statistically significant difference compared to preoperative scores ( P>0.05). None of the 22 cases required medication or further surgical treatment for BPH after surgery. There were no urethral injuries, rectal or bladder perforations during the surgeries, and no severe complications such as rectal fistula or bladder neck contracture occurred postoperatively. There were no deaths reported. Postoperative discomfort in the urethra occurred in 19 cases, urethral pain in 8 cases, hematuria in 15 cases, poor sleep quality in 2 cases, and constipation in 1 case, all of which resolved within 7 to 10 days after surgery. Erectile dysfunction and retrograde ejaculation occurred in one case each at 4 to 5 weeks postoperatively but did not reoccur thereafter. Prostatitis and nodular hyperplasia of the middle lobe of the prostate occurred in one case each at 21 weeks and 25 weeks postoperatively, respectively, and no treatment was administered. Conclusions:In the real world, the short-term overall effect of Rezūm Water Vapor Thermal Therapy system in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia is satisfactory, which shows good efficacy and safety.

Current Situation and Research Progress of Minimally Invasive Treatment on Central Nervous System Tumors / 肿瘤防治研究

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors pose a substantial risk to human health. Conventional therapeutic modalities, including surgical excision, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, exhibit inherent limitations and adverse effects. Nonetheless, the emergence of minimally invasive surgical techniques and advanced imaging technology have spurred research interest in the realm of neurology toward developing minimally invasive treatments for neurosurgical tumors. These approaches encompass tumor laser interstitial thermal therapy, tumor treating fields, photodynamic therapy, and other related interventions. Minimally invasive treatments offer notable advantages, such as reduced tissue trauma, expedited recovery, and pronounced therapeutic efficacy, rendering them extensively employed in clinical settings. This comprehensive review aims to elucidate accomplishments in the field of minimally invasive CNS tumor treatments while delineating prospective avenues for future development.

Six novel minimally invasive therapies for benign prostatic hyperplasia / 浙江大学学报·医学版

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common cause of lower urinary tract symptoms in men. When drug treatment is ineffective or conventional surgery is not suitable, novel minimally invasive therapies can be considered. These include prostatic urethral lift, prostatic artery embolisation, water vapor thermal therapy, Aquablation-image guided robotic waterjet ablation, temporary implantable nitinol device and prostatic stents. These novel therapies can be performed in outpatient setting under local anesthesia, with shorter operative and recovery times, and better protection of ejaculatory function and erectile function. General conditions of the patient and advantages and disadvantages of the each of these therapies should be fully considered to make individualized plans.

Research progress of new multifunctional bone cement in bone tumor therapy / 中国修复重建外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#The research progress of new multifunctional bone cement in bone tumor therapy in recent years was reviewed, in order to provide help for the future research of anti-tumor bone cement.@*METHODS@#The related literature on the treatment of bone tumors with new multifunctional bone cement at home and abroad in recent years was extensively reviewed and summarized.@*RESULTS@#The new multifunctional bone cements include those with the functions of photothermotherapy, magnetic thermotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, and antibacterial after operation, which are discussed from the aspects of anti-tumor, drug controlled release, and cytotoxicity. Controlled drug release has been achieved in multifunctional bone cements by adjusting heat and pH or incorporating particles such as chitosan oligosaccharides and γ-cyclodextrin. At present, multifunctional bone cement with hyperthermia, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy has effectively inhibited the local recurrence and distant metastasis of bone tumors. Broadening the application of bone cement for photothermal and magnetic thermal therapy to deeper bone tumors, investigating more precise controlled release of drug-loaded bone cement, and introducing nanoparticles with both thermal conversion and intrinsic enzymatic activities into bone cement for synergistic anti-tumor therapy are promising research directions.@*CONCLUSION@#The new multifunctional bone cement inhibits bone tumor cells, promotes new bone formation in bone defects, and prevents incision infection after tumor resection. Certain progress has been made in anti-tumor, antibacterial, drug-controlled release, and reduction of cytotoxicity. Expanding the deeper application range of the new multifunctional bone cement, verifying the safety in clinical application, and focusing on the individualized treatment of the new multifunctional bone cement are the problems that need to be solved in the future.

Preparation and characterization of thermo-sensitive liposomes loaded with IR-780 and doxorubicin / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To prepare and characterize a thermo-sensitive liposomes co-loaded with IR-780 and doxorubicin (D0X). Methods Membrane hydration method and ammonium sulfate gradient method were used to prepare IR-780/D0X thermo-sensitive liposomes (DITSL). The particle size, zeta potential and polydispersity coefficient (PDI) of liposomes were measured by Malvern laser particle size analyzer, and the drug release characteristic of DITSL induced by laser was also detected. Results DITSL loading both IR-780 and D0X was successfully prepared. The encapsulation efficiency of IR-780 and D0X was (94.47 ± 8.57) % and (92.52 ± 7.61)%, respectively; the average particle size was (138.98 ± 8.74) nm, with slight negative potential; the PDI was 0.32 ± 0.02. The drug release rate of DITSL was about 80.1% after laser radiation (0. 8 W/cm2, 5 min) and the highest temperature of DITSL was 54.2°C. Conclusion The prepared DITSL has high drug encapsulation efficiency, appropriate particle size, high photo-thermal conversion efficiency, good temperature sensitivity and laser-induced thermal drug release property, which lays a foundation study for the combination treatment of tumors with photo-thermal therapy and chemotherapy.

Enhancement of thermal damage to EpCAM-positive tumor cells by novel aptamer-guided magnetic nanoparticles / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective@#To explore the thermal damage to epithelial cell adhesion molecule(EpCAM)-positive tumor cells by novel aptamer-guided magnetic nanoparticles(AptNPs).@*Methods@#EpCAM aptamer SYL3C was connected to NPs via biotin-streptavidin reaction. The diameter of AptNPs were characterized by Dynamic Light Scattering(DLS). The binding feature of the aptamer to EpCAM-positive tumor cells was evaluated by Prussian blue dyeing. Thermal damage under alternative magnetic field was measured bylactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The apoptosis of EpCAM-positive tumor cells was detected by acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) double staining.@*Results@#The average size of AptNPs was 282 nm. Flow cytometry and Prussian blue dyeing showed that AptNPs exhibited strong binding to the EpCAM-positive tumor cells but not to the EpCAM-negative tumor cells. Moreover, when incubated with 1.5×108 AptNPs under alternative electromagnetic fieldfor 5 hours, the viability of EpCAM-positive HCT116 cells and A549 cells was 28.9% and 54.4%, respectively, significantly lower than 76.7% of EpCAM-negative HepG2 cells (P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#AptNPs can improve the thermal damage to EpCAM-positive tumor cells, and may have potential utility in the development of tumor targeted therapy.

Observation on short-term efficacy of thermal-therapy combined with 125I particles in treatment of recurrent rectal cancer / 吉林大学学报(医学版)

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of thermal-therapy combined with 125 I radioactive particles by comparing the results of preoperative and postoperative images,serum carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) and following-up after treatment of the patients with recurrent rectal cancer.Methods:Nineteen rectal cancer patients with postoperative recurrence after radiotherapy were treated with 125I implantation guided by CT (20 cases were treated with operation,but 1 patient was exited who couldn't tolerate the thermal-therapy).Radioactive particle treatment planning system (TPS) was used to make the plan before the particle implantation,and the distance of the particle was 1.0 cm;all patients received CT scanning and were quantificationally evaluatated after implantation;the number of seeded particles was about 12-58,the radioactivity of the 125I particle was 0.5 mCi,and the matching dose surrounding the tumor was 90-140 Gy.All patients were treated with microwave thermal-therapy after particle implantation,60 min per time,lasting the temprature at 43℃,twice per week,for three weeks.And the patients were followed up after treatment for 3 months,the efficacy was evaluated by image and CEA results,and the urinary frequency,dysuria,hematuria and rectal bleeding were evaluated.Results:Compred with before treatment,after following up for 6 months,the image results showed that the tumor volume was reduced,and the blood CEA level of all patients were decreased from (30.25±8.32) mg · L-1 to (11.89±5.22) mg · L-1 (t=13.158,P＜0.01);the local efficacy was 94.7％ (18/19),and the pain relief rate was 94.4％ (17/18);the NRS median was 6 (4,7) before treatment,and it was 1 (0,3) after treatment,there was significant difference (P＜0.001).There were no frequent urination,urinary pain,hematuria,rectal bleeding and other complications in all patients.Conclusion:Thermal-therapy combined with 125I radioactive particle implantation has good curative effects on the recurrent rectum cancer,and is effective means for recurrent rectum cancer treatment.

Observation on short-term efficacy of thermal-therapy combined with 125I particles in treatment of recurrent rectal cancer / 吉林大学学报(医学版)

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of thermal-therapy combined with 125 I radioactive particles by comparing the results of preoperative and postoperative images,serum carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) and following-up after treatment of the patients with recurrent rectal cancer.Methods:Nineteen rectal cancer patients with postoperative recurrence after radiotherapy were treated with 125I implantation guided by CT (20 cases were treated with operation,but 1 patient was exited who couldn't tolerate the thermal-therapy).Radioactive particle treatment planning system (TPS) was used to make the plan before the particle implantation,and the distance of the particle was 1.0 cm;all patients received CT scanning and were quantificationally evaluatated after implantation;the number of seeded particles was about 12-58,the radioactivity of the 125I particle was 0.5 mCi,and the matching dose surrounding the tumor was 90-140 Gy.All patients were treated with microwave thermal-therapy after particle implantation,60 min per time,lasting the temprature at 43℃,twice per week,for three weeks.And the patients were followed up after treatment for 3 months,the efficacy was evaluated by image and CEA results,and the urinary frequency,dysuria,hematuria and rectal bleeding were evaluated.Results:Compred with before treatment,after following up for 6 months,the image results showed that the tumor volume was reduced,and the blood CEA level of all patients were decreased from (30.25±8.32) mg · L-1 to (11.89±5.22) mg · L-1 (t=13.158,P＜0.01);the local efficacy was 94.7％ (18/19),and the pain relief rate was 94.4％ (17/18);the NRS median was 6 (4,7) before treatment,and it was 1 (0,3) after treatment,there was significant difference (P＜0.001).There were no frequent urination,urinary pain,hematuria,rectal bleeding and other complications in all patients.Conclusion:Thermal-therapy combined with 125I radioactive particle implantation has good curative effects on the recurrent rectum cancer,and is effective means for recurrent rectum cancer treatment.

Infrared thermal therapy against pseudomonas aeruginosa on burn wound / 实用医学杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of infrared thermal therapy against pseudomonas ae-ruginosa infection on deep partial-thickness burn wound. Methods Forty-three patients in our hospital with main-ly deep partial-thickness burn wound from January 2015 to October 2016 were randomly enrolled to the treatment group(TG,treated with sulfadiazine silver + infrared thermal therapy)and the control group(CG,treated with sulfadiazine silver only). Scores of wound exudation,positive rate of pseudomonas aeruginosa on wound,wound healing rate,wound healing time and overall evaluation of wound healing on the day of 0,3,7,14,21,28 after treatment were conventionally recorded. Adverse effects in TG and CG were also observed. Results (1)Age,sex and burn surface area of patients were found no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05). (2)On the day of 3,7 and 14,wound exudation score of TG was significantly lower than that of CG(P<0.05);On the day of0,21 and 28,wound exudation score of the two groups were almost same.(3)Positive rate of pseudomonas aeruginosa between the two groups on the day of 7,14 and 21,TG was significantly lower than CG(P < 0.05). (4)Wound healing rate of TG on the day of 7,14 and 21 was higher than CG,which was statistically significant difference in the 2 groups(P<0.05);Wound healing time of TG patients[(21.1 ± 6.5)day]was significantly shorter than that of CG patients[(26.2 ± 6.5)day](P<0.05).(5)Overall evaluation of wound healing of TG was better than that of CG on the day 14 and 21(P<0.05). Conclusions Infrared thermal therapy could reduce the secretion of deep partial-thickness burn wound and effectively control pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Furthermore,infrared thermal therapy finally improved wound healing rate and shortenedwound healing time of burn wound.

Clinical analysis of laparoscopy combined with deep hyperthermia in the treatment of pelvic absces / 中国基层医药

Objective To explore the clinical effect of laparoscopy combined with deep hyperthermia in the treatment of pelvic abscess.Methods Clinical data of 56 patients with pelvic abscess treated by laparoscopy combined with deep hyperthermia were retrospectively analyzed.Results 56 cases were completed in laparoscopic surgery,before surgery,after diagnostic accordance rate was 76.8%,average operation time was 51 minutes,postoperative average hospitalization was 5.1 days.After operation they were performed in vitro hyperthermia to increase the efficacy. Patients were followed up for 6 months,no recurrence.32 patients with fertility requirements of the fallopian tube,1 to 3 months after the operation of bilateral fallopian tube radiography,20 cases of patency,8 cases of tubal patency and poor.Conclusion Laparoscopy combined with deep hyperthermia in vitro is an ideal and safe treatment,which is conducive to protect the patients'reproductive function,especially for young patients with no pregnancy.

Waon Therapy is Effective as the Treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

Background: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is an illness characterized by disabling fatigue. We examined the applicability of Waon therapy as a new method of fatigue treatment in patients with ME/CFS. Methods: Nine female ME/CFS patients (mean age, 38.4±11.2 years old; range, 21-60) who fulfilled the criteria of the Canadian clinical case definition of ME/CFS participated in this study. Patients received 30 sessions of modified Waon therapy, infrared-ray dry sauna maintained at an even temperature of 40°C or 45°C for 15 minutes twice a day for 3 weeks in a hospital, or once a day for five weeks at an outpatient clinic. Their functional health and well-being scores were determined using SF-36 and compared with those of six ME/CFS patients who did not undergo Waon therapy. Results: Seven of nine Waon therapy patients experienced a significant improvement in physical and mental condition, and the effect continued throughout the observation period. Waon therapy brought improvements in the scores of: Role physical (p<0.05); Bodily pain (p<0.05); General health perceptions (p<0.05); and Role emotional (p<0.05) of SF-36 in those who responded well (good responders) to the therapy. In two patients who responded poorly (poor responders) to Waon therapy, and in the non-Waon therapy patients, no significant improvement in the scores was observed. Conclusions: Waon therapy is effective for the treatment of ME/CFS.

Waon Therapy is Effective as the Treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

<b>Background</b>: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is an illness characterized by disabling fatigue. We examined the applicability of Waon therapy as a new method of fatigue treatment in patients with ME/CFS.<BR><b>Methods</b>: Nine female ME/CFS patients (mean age, 38.4±11.2 years old; range, 21-60) who fulfilled the criteria of the Canadian clinical case definition of ME/CFS participated in this study. Patients received 30 sessions of modified Waon therapy, infrared-ray dry sauna maintained at an even temperature of 40°C or 45°C for 15 minutes twice a day for 3 weeks in a hospital, or once a day for five weeks at an outpatient clinic. Their functional health and well-being scores were determined using SF-36 and compared with those of six ME/CFS patients who did not undergo Waon therapy.<BR><b>Results</b>: Seven of nine Waon therapy patients experienced a significant improvement in physical and mental condition, and the effect continued throughout the observation period. Waon therapy brought improvements in the scores of: Role physical (p<0.05); Bodily pain (p<0.05); General health perceptions (p<0.05); and Role emotional (p<0.05) of SF-36 in those who responded well (good responders) to the therapy. In two patients who responded poorly (poor responders) to Waon therapy, and in the non-Waon therapy patients, no significant improvement in the scores was observed.<BR><b>Conclusions</b>: Waon therapy is effective for the treatment of ME/CFS.

02-2 Preventive effect of thermal therapy on heart failure due to pressure overload / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

Introduction: Long-term cardiac hypertrophy causes heart failure. One of the mechanisms of this transition from hypertrophy to heart failure is collapse of hypoxic response and angiogenesis. Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) was found to act as an anti-apoptotic protein and its phosphorylation is responsible for the protection of cells against heat stress. HSP27 has been reported to regulate p53 expression, which contributes to down-regulate angiogenic factors through hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α). We have reported that thermal therapy, namely Waon therapy, improves cardiac and vascular function in patients with chronic heart failure. However, the effect of this therapy on cardiac hypertrophy due to pressure overload is unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects and mechanisms of thermal therapy (Waon therapy) on the transition from cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure after pressure overload. Methods: Cardiac hypertrophy was induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in C57BL/6 mice. At 2 weeks after TAC, all mice were examined by echocardiography and showed left ventricular hypertrophy. Then, mice were randomly divided into thermal therapy or untreated group. Thermal therapy group received thermal therapy using an experimental far infrared ray dry sauna, which elevates the core temperature by 1 degree Celsius for 30 minutes, daily for 4 weeks. Sham operated mice were used as control. At 6 weeks after TAC, we measured body weight, heart rate and blood pressure before sacrifice, and eviscerated heart and leg muscle. Western blot analysis of p53, phosphorylated HSP27, HIF-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was performed using extracted protein form heart. Results: At 6 weeks after TAC, body weight, heart rate and blood pressure did not differ in three groups. Echocardiography showed that left ventricular fractional shortening of thermal therapy group was significantly larger than that of untreated group (Sham vs. Untreated vs. Thermal; 50.0±1.7 vs. 36.7±1.3 vs. 46.2±0.5, P<0.01, n=6 each). Heart weight/tibia length ratio of thermal therapy group was significantly smaller than that of untreated group (6.7±0.1 vs. 9.7±0.5 vs. 7.9±0.2, P<0.01, n=9 each). Western blot showed that thermal therapy increased phosphorylation of HSP27 and reduced p53. Thermal therapy also increased HIF-1α and VEGF at 6 weeks after TAC. Capillary/myofiber ratio was larger in thermal therapy group than that in untreated group (1.71±0.05 vs. 2.04±0.04 vs. 2.41±0.10, P<0.01, n=4 each). Conclusion: Thermal therapy, namely Waon therapy, prevented the transition from cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure induced by pressure overload in mice. As the mechanism, thermal therapy amplified the phosphorylation of HSP27 and inhibited p53, increased HIF-1α and VEGF, and then increased angiogenesis.

S1-2 Waon therapy for ischemic heart disease / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

Objectives: Waon therapy relieves ischemic symptoms in patients with peripheral arterial disease. Waon therapy increases capillary density and blood flow in ischemic hindlimbs of mice (Circ J 2006;70:463). Moreover, we have shown that Waon therapy increases capillary densities of non-infarcted myocardium of rat with myocardial infarction in association with increases in myocardial expression of eNOS and VEGF mRNA (Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2011;301:H548). Taken together, Waon therapy may improve myocardial blood flow in patients with severe coronary artery disease. Accordingly, the purpose of the present study was to investigate whether repeated Waon therapy could improve myocardial perfusion in patients with ischemia related to chronic total occlusion (CTO) of coronary arteries. Patients and Methods: Twenty-four patients who had myocardial ischemia in the CTO-related area were examined. The Waon group (n=16) was treated daily for 3 weeks with a 60°C far infrared-ray dry sauna bath for 15 minutes and then kept in a bed covered with blankets for 30 minutes. The severity of ischemia was quantified by thallium-201 myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with adenosine before and after 3-week Waon therapy. Treadmill exercise test, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, and the number of circulating CD34-positive bone marrow-derived cells, a putative precursor of endothelial progenitor cells, were determined. The control group (n=8) underwent myocardial perfusion scintigraphy twice with a 3-week interval. Results: In the control group, neither summed stress score (SSS) nor summed difference score (SDS) of myocardial scintigraphy changed. However, Waon therapy improved both SSS (16±7 to 9±6, p<0.01) and SDS (7±4 to 3±2, p<0.01), and the improvement was greater in patients with higher SSS and SDS scores at the baseline. Waon therapy extended treadmill exercise time (430±185 to 511±192 sec, p<0.01) and improved FMD (4.1±1.3 to 5.9±1.8%, p<0.05), but tended to decrease the number of circulating CD34-positive cells. Conclusions: Waon therapy improves CTO-related myocardial ischemia in association with improvement of vascular endothelial function. This therapy could be a complementary and alternative tool in patients with severe coronary lesions not suitable for coronary intervention.

S1-2Waon therapy for ischemic heart disease / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

<b>Objectives: </b>Waon therapy relieves ischemic symptoms in patients with peripheral arterial disease. Waon therapy increases capillary density and blood flow in ischemic hindlimbs of mice (Circ J 2006;70:463). Moreover, we have shown that Waon therapy increases capillary densities of non-infarcted myocardium of rat with myocardial infarction in association with increases in myocardial expression of eNOS and VEGF mRNA (Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2011;301:H548). Taken together, Waon therapy may improve myocardial blood flow in patients with severe coronary artery disease. Accordingly, the purpose of the present study was to investigate whether repeated Waon therapy could improve myocardial perfusion in patients with ischemia related to chronic total occlusion (CTO) of coronary arteries.<BR><b>Patients and Methods:</b> Twenty-four patients who had myocardial ischemia in the CTO-related area were examined. The Waon group (n=16) was treated daily for 3 weeks with a 60°C far infrared-ray dry sauna bath for 15 minutes and then kept in a bed covered with blankets for 30 minutes. The severity of ischemia was quantified by thallium-201 myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with adenosine before and after 3-week Waon therapy. Treadmill exercise test, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, and the number of circulating CD34-positive bone marrow-derived cells, a putative precursor of endothelial progenitor cells, were determined. The control group (n=8) underwent myocardial perfusion scintigraphy twice with a 3-week interval. <BR><b>Results:</b> In the control group, neither summed stress score (SSS) nor summed difference score (SDS) of myocardial scintigraphy changed. However, Waon therapy improved both SSS (16±7 to 9±6, p<0.01) and SDS (7±4 to 3±2, p<0.01), and the improvement was greater in patients with higher SSS and SDS scores at the baseline. Waon therapy extended treadmill exercise time (430±185 to 511±192 sec, p<0.01) and improved FMD (4.1±1.3 to 5.9±1.8%, p<0.05), but tended to decrease the number of circulating CD34-positive cells. <BR><b>Conclusions: </b>Waon therapy improves CTO-related myocardial ischemia in association with improvement of vascular endothelial function. This therapy could be a complementary and alternative tool in patients with severe coronary lesions not suitable for coronary intervention.

02-2Preventive effect of thermal therapy on heart failure due to pressure overload / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

<b>Introduction:</b> Long-term cardiac hypertrophy causes heart failure. One of the mechanisms of this transition from hypertrophy to heart failure is collapse of hypoxic response and angiogenesis. Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) was found to act as an anti-apoptotic protein and its phosphorylation is responsible for the protection of cells against heat stress. HSP27 has been reported to regulate p53 expression, which contributes to down-regulate angiogenic factors through hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α). We have reported that thermal therapy, namely Waon therapy, improves cardiac and vascular function in patients with chronic heart failure. However, the effect of this therapy on cardiac hypertrophy due to pressure overload is unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects and mechanisms of thermal therapy (Waon therapy) on the transition from cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure after pressure overload.<BR><b>Methods:</b> Cardiac hypertrophy was induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in C57BL/6 mice. At 2 weeks after TAC, all mice were examined by echocardiography and showed left ventricular hypertrophy. Then, mice were randomly divided into thermal therapy or untreated group. Thermal therapy group received thermal therapy using an experimental far infrared ray dry sauna, which elevates the core temperature by 1 degree Celsius for 30 minutes, daily for 4 weeks. Sham operated mice were used as control. At 6 weeks after TAC, we measured body weight, heart rate and blood pressure before sacrifice, and eviscerated heart and leg muscle. Western blot analysis of p53, phosphorylated HSP27, HIF-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was performed using extracted protein form heart.<BR><b>Results: </b>At 6 weeks after TAC, body weight, heart rate and blood pressure did not differ in three groups. Echocardiography showed that left ventricular fractional shortening of thermal therapy group was significantly larger than that of untreated group (Sham vs. Untreated vs. Thermal; 50.0±1.7 vs. 36.7±1.3 vs. 46.2±0.5, P<0.01, n=6 each). Heart weight/tibia length ratio of thermal therapy group was significantly smaller than that of untreated group (6.7±0.1 vs. 9.7±0.5 vs. 7.9±0.2, P<0.01, n=9 each). Western blot showed that thermal therapy increased phosphorylation of HSP27 and reduced p53. Thermal therapy also increased HIF-1α and VEGF at 6 weeks after TAC. Capillary/myofiber ratio was larger in thermal therapy group than that in untreated group (1.71±0.05 vs. 2.04±0.04 vs. 2.41±0.10, P<0.01, n=4 each).<BR><b>Conclusion:</b> Thermal therapy, namely Waon therapy, prevented the transition from cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure induced by pressure overload in mice. As the mechanism, thermal therapy amplified the phosphorylation of HSP27 and inhibited p53, increased HIF-1α and VEGF, and then increased angiogenesis.

Hemodynamic Change after Half Body Bathing in Patients with Cardiovascular Risk Factor

OBJECTIVE: Nowadays half body bathing (H-bath) became popular with increasing interests of health and well-being. H-bath is expected to be beneficial and safe as well as conventional whole body bathing (W-bath). However, there has been no formal report on the safety and effectiveness of H-bath. Therefore, this study tried to evaluate and compare the cardiovascular response during H-bath and W-bath in patients with or without cardiovascular disease. METHOD: 17 subjects with at least one cardiovascular risk factor and 15 subjects without any cardiovascular risk factor took H-bath while 22 healthy control group without any cardiovascular risk factor took W-bath. Changes of skin and oral temperature as well as hemodynamic responses (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate) were measured. RESULTS: Increasing of systolic blood pressure and heart rate in H-bath was statistically lowered compared to W-bath as time goes by in bathing (p<0.05). There were no significant difference in patients with and without cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSION: Heart rate, temperature, systolic blood pressure showed a more gradual increase during H-bath than during W-bath. We propose that H-bath could be a more safe and compliant method of cardiac rehabilitation in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Comparison of the Effect of Transurethral Thermal Therapy and Transurethral Resection of the Prostate for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia / 대한비뇨기과학회지

It is accepted by urologists that transurethral resection of the prostate(TURP) is a golden standard in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia( BPH). TURP is a safe procedure with low mortality rate but the rare, severe morbidity made the need for nonoperative treatment for BPH. Recently, non-invasive transurethral microwave hyperthermia has been applied as an alternative treatment of TURP. As a part of ongoing effort to evaluate the effect of transurethral microwave hyperthermia for BPH, we compared the outcomes of TURP with transurethral thermal therapy(TUTT). In 34 patients treated with TURP, the preoperative peak urine flow rate was 6.61ml/sec, but has changed to 14.33 and 14.64ml/sec at postoperative 4weeks and 6months respectively. The Boyarsky symptom score was 13.7 preoperatively, but has changed to 4.43 and 4.66 at postoperative 4weeks and 6months respectively Amount of residual urine was 91.35cc preoperatively. but has decreased to 40.7 and 40.32cc at postoperative 4weeks and 6months respectively. In 35 patients treated with TUTT. the preoperative peak urine flow rate was 9.24ml/sec, but has increased to 11.83 and 12.39ml/sec at postoperative 4weeks and 6months respectively. The preoperative Boyarsky symptom score of 12.9 has decreased to 8.58 and 8.97 at postoperative 4weeks and 6months respectively. The preoperative amount of residual urine was 52.45cc, but has changed to 44.74 and 35.2cc at postoperative 4weeks and 6months respectively. When comparing the parameters between two groups, the improvement of peak urine flow rate was greater in TURP than in TUTT group at postoperative 6months(p<0.01). The decreases of symptom score and amount of residual urine also were greater in TURP than in TUTT group, but not significantly different. In both group, no noticeable complications were encountered. These findings suggest that TURP is more effective than TUTT in the treatment of symptomatic BPH. But our data also raise the possibility that TUTT represents a safe outpatient approach to treatment of BPH, particularly for patients not considered to be candidates for conventional surgical treatments of BPH.