Immunological Approach for the Effects of Thalassotherapy: Focused on the Natural Killer Activity

Journal/Book: XXIe Congrès international de Thalassothérapie Hammamet (Tunisie) 30 janvier-2 février 2000 S. 19. 2000;

Abstract: S. TOMITA* A. KISHI* M. NIMAN* S. FUJITA* T. KISHIDA* S. DEGUCHI** K. KOBARI***Louis Pasteur Center for Medical Research Kyoto Japan. **Oceanic Wellness Foundation Okinawa Japan [Purpose] For assessing the innate immune system in humans natural killer (NK) activity is one of the important parameters. To evaluate the effects of thalassotherapy on human health promotion NK activities were investigated. [Materials and Methods] Eleven healthy volunteers participated in a program consisted with several items for 5 days in a facility (THALASSO SHIMA) in Mie prefecture Japan. Blood samples were collected from each person before during and after the program for the investigations below. 1: NK activity was assessed using flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). 2: Intracellular Ca2+ changes of lymphocytes were observed after a treatment with interferon-alfa (IFN) by real time CLSM. 3: Ratio of NK cells NKT cells and T cells was determined using anti-CD56 and anti-CD3 antibodies. [Results & Discussion] Average NK activity was increased after the 5 days program (before:14.8 % v.s after:21.9 %) while not changed in programs up to three days. Cytolysis of lymphocytes against target cells (K562) was confirmed morphologically by CLSM using the same sample. Intracellular Ca2+ of lymphocytes was increased after the IFN treatment and the same phenomenon was observed on samples after the program. Ratio of NK cells NKT cells and T cells was not changed during the program. From these findings. NK activity seems to be increased by thalassotherapy and several days program might be needed for enough effect. [Conclusion] Thalassotherapy could promote human health through an activation of the innate immunity. wt

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