Effects of Spa Therapy for Asthmatics with a Long History of Cigarette Smoking, Evaluated by Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness and Generation of Leukotrienes by Leucocytes
- Author:
Fumihiro MITSUNOBU
;
Yasuhiro HOSAKI
;
Kozo ASHIDA
;
Naofumi IWAGAKI
;
Takuya NAGATA
;
Makoto FUJII
;
Shingo TAKATA
;
Masanori HAMADA
;
Yoshiro TANIZAKI
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
spa therapy;
asthma;
cigarette smoking;
bronchial hyperresponsiveness
- From:The Journal of The Japanese Society of Balneology, Climatology and Physical Medicine
2005;68(2):83-91
- CountryJapan
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The effects of spa therapy for asthmatics with a long history of cigarette smoking were studied, compared with the effects for those without smoking history. 1. Of 22 patients with smoking history, 15 (68.2%) had definite efficacy of spa therapy (4 had marked efficacy, and 11 had moderate efficacy), and the residual 7 had slight or no efficacy. In contrast, of 36 patients without smoking history, 29 (80.6%) had definite efficacy. The effects of spa therapy for asthmatics were significantly higher in never-smokers than in ex-smokers.
2. A significant increase in the production of IgE antibodies, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and the generation of leukotrienes B4 (LTB4) and C4 (LTC4) by leucocytes was observed in ex-smokers compared with never-smokers. 3. The frequency of patients with a positive BAST against inhalant allergens was larger in subjects with slight or no efficacy than in those with marked or moderate efficacy in never-smokers, but not in ex-smokers. 4. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness was significantly increased in patients with slight or no efficacy than in those with marked or moderate efficacy both in ex-smokers and never-smoker. 5. The generation of LTB4 was more increased in subjects with slight or no efficacy than in those with efficacy both in ex-smokers and never-smokers, however, the differences were not significant. 5. The generation of LTC4 tended to be more increased in subjects with slight or no efficacy than in those with efficacy in never-smokers, but not in ex-smokers, although these were not significant. The results suggest that an increase in the production of IgE antibodies, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and the generation of LTB4 and LTC4, which might be influenced by cigarette smoking, affect the effects of spa therapy for patients with asthma.
