The Effect of Bathing with NY-008 on Skin Temperature / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

The effect of bathing with NY-008 (3-octylphthalide, a newly synthesized vasodilative compound) on skin temperature was examined. The subjects were 28 healthy male adults (22±4 years old). The group bathed for 10min in 40°C water containing 3ppm of NY-008. On alternate days, the group bathed similarly but without NY-008 (control bathing). Skin temperature (Ts), blood pressure, and heart rate (HR) were then measured in a room in which the ambient temperature was maintained at 24°C and relative humidity at 60%. To eliminate any effect of diurnal fluctuations in skin temperature, each subject bathed at the same hour each day. Measurements were performed in random order by the double-blind method. The mean values of Ts after bathing were slightly higher after NY-008 bathing than after control bathing, and a significant difference was noted 10min after bathing (p<0.01). There was no significant difference in systolic blood pressure between NY-008 bathing and control bathing. Diastolic blood pressure was slightly lower after NY-008 bathing. Mean blood pressure, measured 5 min after bathing, was significantly lower after NY-008 bathing than after control bathing (p<0.05). No significant difference was found in HR. These findings suggest that NY-008 bathing increases skin blood flow through vasodilation of skin vessels and lower peripheral resistance, and may have longer lasting warming effects than ordinary bathing.