The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of isotonic exercise during a 38°C mist sauna on oxygen uptake in comparison with conditions of the exercise only.   The subjects of this study were 10 young persons (average 20.5 years old). Oxygen uptake and breath rate were measured using an expiratory gas analysis system and the tympanic temperature was measured using a thermistor during a control period 10 minutes before the tasks, for 10 minutes during the tasks, and for 10 minutes after the tasks. Heart rate was measured using an autonomic spygmomanometer during the 10 minutes control period before the tasks, at five and 10 minutes during the tasks, and for 10 minutes after the tasks. Body weight was measured before and after the experiment. The temperature and humidity of the mist sauna were set to 38°C and 96%, and the rest room temperature and humidity were set to 28°C and 52%.   In isotonic exercises with mist sauna, the oxygen uptake for 10 min, tympanic temperature and heart rate were all significantly increased, and the body weight was significantly decreased in comparison with exercise only. The oxygen uptake for 10 min during the exercise in the sauna was greater than the value found for exercise only. These results showed synergistic effects due to exercise and heating during the sauna.   These findings suggest that a condition of isotonic exercise with sauna advance energy metabolism in comparison with exercise only, and that we can use this to protect against metabolic syndrome and maintain health.

Objective: Ganoderma lucidum (Rei-shi) is widely used as an alternative medicine agent to promote health and longevity. The water-soluble extract from culture medium of Ganoderma lucidum mycelia (WER) is prepared from a solid medium composed of bagasse and rice bran overgrown for 3–4 months with Ganoderma lucidum mycelia.
Design: In this study, we evaluate antioxidant activity of WER in vitro, and examined the effects of oral treatment of WER on oxidative stress in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice.
Method: Male ICR mice were treated with STZ (150 mg/kg, i.p.) and were housed for a week for induction of experimental diabetic state. WER (1 g/kg daily) was orally administered for an additional 9 weeks, and the levels of blood glucose, oxidative stress in plasma, liver and kidney of the mice were assessed.
Result: WER inhibited generation of superoxide anion and lipid peroxidation in concentration dependent manner in vitro. Oral administration of WER to diabetic mice significantly reduced the levels of blood glucose, hydroperoxides, triglyceride, ALT, and AST. Moreover, WER prevented the increase in lipid peroxide levels and the decrease in activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) in liver and kidney of diabetic mice. In addition, histochemical studies revealed that treatment of WER precluded the sinusoidal dilation in liver and expansion of mesangial matrix in kidney of diabetic mice. Normal mice treated with WER showed no change in any parameters studied.
Conclusion: These data suggested that WER can act as an antioxidant in vivo, and show the antidiabetic effects by relieving diabetic hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress.

  Introduction: We examined the thermophysiological effects of ultrafine bubble (UB) bathing in comparison with microbubble (MB) and freshwater (FW) bathing.   Subjects and Methods: Seven healthy women aged 35.6±2.9 years provided informed consent to participate in the study. After a 10-min rest, each subject engaged in UB, MB, and FW bathing (on separate days) at 40°C for 10 min. During the experiment, tympanic temperature, local sweat rate, local skin temperature, heat flow, and heart rate variability were continuously recorded. Subjective assessments of thermal sensation and comfort were rated on a visual analog scale between 0 to 100.  Results: Increases in tympanic temperature and mean body temperature were highest during MB bathing, and similar increases were observed during UB and FW bathing. Local sweating was highest during MB bathing and lowest during UB bathing. A significant interaction was observed between local sweating during bathing and bathing style (P<0.001). The increase in local sweat rate relative to body temperature was lowest during UB bathing and highest during MB bathing.  Discussion: During UB bathing, UBs and MBs that were generated in high concentrations in the bathtub decreased the flow of heat to the body, thereby suppressing an increase in tympanic temperature and yielding the lowest local sweat late. However, during MB bathing, in which a moderate concentration of UBs and MBs were generated, the increase in heat flow due to the convection of hot water exceeded the decrease in heat flow due to the bubbles.  Conclusions: The results suggest that bubble properties and convection characteristics altered the balance of heat flow, leading to differences in the thermoregulatory response during and after bathing.

Objective: The water-soluble extract of Ganoderma lucidum mycelia (WER) is prepared from a solid medium composed of bagasse and rice bran overgrown with Ganoderma lucidum mycelia. Recently, we have reported that WER had glucose-lowering effect in streptozotosin-induced diabetic mice, an animal model of type 1 diabetes. Here, we investigated whether long-term treatment with WER affects hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in KK-A^y mice, a type 2 diabetic animal model with obesity.
Methods: Female KK-A^y mice were given free access to water and high-fat food containing 0.5% WER for 8 weeks, with blood glucose and plasma insulin levels assessed every week. At the end of the experimental period, insulin tolerance test (ITT) was performed, and plasma levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, AST, ALT and adiponectin were measured. Furthermore, expression of GLUT4 in skeletal muscle cell membrane and adipocytes was also determined by immunostaining and Western blot analysis.
Results: The mice with high-fat ingestion showed a gradual increase in levels of blood glucose and body weight. In the WER-treated mice, the blood glucose level was significantly suppressed after 2 weeks of treatment. WER also reduced plasma levels of ALT and insulin, but did not affect the other parameters. Additionally, ITT revealed that WER improved insulin sensitivity. Moreover, expression of GLUT4 in the plasma membrane of skeletal muscle cells and adipocytes of the WER-treated mice was increased.
Conclusion: These results indicate that WER has a glucose-lowering effect in type 2 diabetic mice. WER also improved hyperinsulinemia and insulin sensitivity, which may derive from enhancement of glucose uptake through GLUT4 of skeletal muscle cells and adipocytes.

  The purpose of this study was to clarify effects of the water fall bath on muscle blood flow, muscle hardness at the shoulder and body temperature after muscle contraction in human.   The subjects of this study were eight young males (average 20.4years old). Blood flow and hardness in middle fiber of trapezius were measured using the monitor of spectroscopy and a handy battery-run device, skin blood flow rate using the laser doppler flowmetry, and tympanic temperature using the thermistor during control period 10 minutes, for five minutes during four conditions (40°C water fall bath, massage using the knocking machine, 40°C hot pack and rest) after muscle contraction and moreover 30 minutes. Subjects wore a swimming trunk while these experiments. The ambient temperature and relative humidity were set to 27°C, 42% in control room.   During the water fall bath, the muscle blood flow was tend to increased compared with after muscle contraction. The skin blood flow was increased and the muscle hardness was decreased significantly. During the massage, the skin blood flow was increased and the muscle hardness was decreased significantly. During the hot pack, the muscle hardness was decreased significantly. The tympanic temperature was no changed in three conditions except from the rest.   These findings suggest that water fall bath is lessened the muscle hardness causing increase of the muscle and the skin blood flows. Therefore, the water fall bath can use one of the method to relief muscle fatigue.