Short-term effects of spa-drink therapy on gastric mucosal blood flow were evaluated using endoscopic organ reflex spectrophotometry together with an Olympus XQ-10 forward-viewing gastrofiberscope.
Thirty-eight subjects were divided into three groups by random sampling: 12 subjects to a group for injecting hot spring water (38 to 40°C, 150ml), 12 subjects to a group for injecting warm tap water (38 to 40°C, 150ml), and 14 subjects to a groups for injecting warm air (150ml). Hot spring water, tap water, or air was injected into the stomach through the fiberscopic injection channel. Gastric mucosal blood flow was measured immediately before and 10 minutes after the injection on the three points of gastric mucosa: lesser curvature of the angle, and that of the antrum, and the pylorus.
The following results were obtained:
1) Hot spring water was more effective in increasing gastric mucosal blood flow than air. The difference was statistically significant on all of the three points.
2) Hot spring water was more effective in increasing gastric mucosal blood flow than tap water. The difference, however, was significant only on the mucosa of the gastric antrum.
In conclusion, spa-drink therapy was useful for treating chronic gastritis and gastric ulcer in which impairment of gastric mucosal blood flow plays an important pathogenetic role. Studies on the long-term effects of spa-drink therapy on the gastric mucosal blood flow are now under way.