Balneotherapy demonstrates protective properties against atopic dermatitis

Balneotherapy using high-mineral spring water could be a safe alternative for treating symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD). The study, published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, looked at the effects of bathing in high-concentration mineral spring water (HMW) on redox balance and immune modulation in an animal model for atopic dermatitis using 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB).

• Researchers applied DNCB on the dorsal skin of mice to mimic the effects of atopic dermatitis.
• These were then treated either with pure HMW or a 10 percent diluted HMW once a day for four weeks. To serve as a positive control, researchers used tacrolimus ointment.
• The team examined the severity of skin lesion inflammation for each group. In particular, they also observed scratching behavior for each mice in the group. Pro-inflammation biomarkers for atopic dermatitis, as well as immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, were also measured. In addition, oxidative stress-related biomarkers and antioxidant activity were also assessed.
• Researchers found that HMW greatly reduced the scratching behavior in both HMW treatments (pure and diluted). Mice that were treated with pure HMW showed improvement after two weeks, while those treated with diluted HMW after four weeks.
• Mice treated with diluted HMW showed a significant decrease in IgE levels, and both HMW treatments reduced all biomarkers for inflammation.
• In terms of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mice treated with pure HMW exhibited a significant reduction in ROS levels. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was also greater in pure HMW treatments.

The findings revealed that bathing in HMW can reduce AD-like inflammation in rats treated with DNCB.

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Journal Reference:

Bajgai J, Fadriquela A, Ara J, Begum R, Ahmed MF, Kim CS, Kim SK, Shim KY, Lee KJ. BALNEOTHERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF HIGH MINERAL SPRING WATER ON THE ATOPIC DERMATITIS-LIKE INFLAMMATION IN HAIRLESS MICE VIA IMMUNOMODULATION AND REDOX BALANCE. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 13 October 2017;17(481). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-1985-8