Spa therapy in Misasa (Tottori Prefecture, Japan) is renowned worldwide for its radon therapy (particularly high-concentration radon hot-air bath therapy) along with mine therapy in Bad Gastein (Austria) and Montana (USA). Radon therapy is indicated for diseases related to the respiratory system, pain, digestive disorders, chronic degeneration, and aging caused by reactive oxygen species; however, most of these indications are based on empirical prescriptions. To address this, the authors have been conducting basic research to experimentally and mathematically identify significant radon and its progeny exposure pathways and their related behaviors in the body. The aim is to quantitatively evaluate the relationship between the biological reactions caused by radon inhalation and the absorbed doses in tissues and organs, and to elucidate new mechanisms related to these indications. Therefore, the mechanisms are being elucidated in terms of a series of moderate physiological stimuli caused by small amounts of oxidative stress induced by radon inhalation. Specifically, radon inhalation enhances antioxidant, immune regulation, and damage-repair functions; promotes anti-inflammation, hormone secretion, and circulatory metabolism; and induces apoptosis and heat shock proteins. New indications have been suggested, including inflammatory and neuropathic pain, inflammatory edema, gastric mucosal damage, ulcerative colitis, hyperuricemia, type 1 diabetes, liver and kidney damage, transient cerebral ischemia, and depression. Furthermore, combining radon therapy with antioxidants and therapeutic agents has been suggested to synergistically enhance the disease-suppressing effects of the therapy. Further clinical verification of the combined effects of radon therapy and conventional treatments is required to reduce the dosage of drugs that cause severe side effects.

  A large number of patients are treated in various countries with the traditional radon spa therapy. Adequate oxygen stress induced by radon inhalation activates chemical biological protective functions, such as induction of the synthesis of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase. We previously reported that radon inhalation elevated antioxidant enzymes in patients with bronchial asthma and osteoarthritis 1), 2). Objectives: Although many clinical studies have been reported, the reason why radon inhalation results in positive effects is still unclear. To elucidate the probability that activation of chemical biological protective functions alleviates various oxidation injuries, we studied the mechanisms of the effects of radon using small animals. Methods: To examine whether radon inhalation activates antioxidative functions in mice, we developed a new facility for exposing small animals to radon and examined SOD activity, which is an antioxidative enzyme, in plasma, liver, pancreas, heart, thymus, kidney, brain, small intestine, lung, and stomach of mice. Mice were exposed to radon at a concentration of 250, 500, 1000, 2000, or 4000 Bq/m3 for 0.5, 1, 2, 4, or 8 days. Results: It was shown that continuous exposure to radon increases SOD activity in most organs of mouse. In addition, our data suggested some new indications for radon treatment3). Next, we assessed whether radon inhalation provided protection from carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic and renal damage in mice. Results showed that radon inhalation inhibited CCl4-induced hepatic and renal damage in mice due to activation of antioxidative functions in liver and kidney4). Although hepatic and renal damage are not the main indication for radon therapy, radon inhalation mitigates liver and kidney damage due to activation of antioxidative functions in liver and kidney. This antioxidative effect against CCl4-induced hepatopathy is comparable to treatment with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) at a dose of 500 mg/kg weight or α-tocopherol (vitamin E) treatment at a dose of 300 mg/kg weight and is due to activation of antioxidative functions5). We also suggested radon inhalation inhibits streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type I diabetes in mice due to activation of antioxidative functions in pancreas. Conclusion: Thus, radon inhalation very likely activates the defense systems in the body, and therefore, contributes to preventing or reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related injuries, which are thought to involve peroxidation.