Exploration and Investigation of High-Level Radon Medicinal Springs in the Crystalline Units: Lugicum

Radioactive (radon) groundwaters are highly valued among mineral waters for their healing effects. Between 2005 and 2015, a large exploratory event for prospecting and documenting radon water springs took place in the crystalline area of Lugicum (Bohemian Massif) under Czech–Polish cooperation. For these purposes, an exploration method was developed as a combination of GIS (ArcMap 9.1–10.2) area preparation followed by field radiohydrogeochemical mapping at a scale of 1:10,000. The gamma indication method was optimized and used for the selection of water samples. A total of 2354 water sources were examined. Radon activity concentrations were measured at 660 sources found throughout the territory. Of those, 111 sources exhibited 222Rn activity above 1500 Bq/L and, thus, were categorized as sources of mineral radioactive waters according to Czech legislation. The highest 222Rn activity was found in the Michael spring near Nové Město pod Smrkem (up to 6237 Bq/L 222Rn). Many discovered sources with high balneological potential are significant and, therefore, are quickly becoming popular among the public.

Assessment of Changes in Concentration of Total Antioxidant Status, Acute-Phase Protein, and Prolactin in Patients with Osteoarthritis Subjected to a Complex Spa Treatment with Radon Water: Preliminary Results

Spa treatment brings many clinical benefits such as improved physical activity, pain relief, and improved quality of life. In the literature, there are only few objective studies evaluating changes in metabolism possibly influencing clinical outcomes. The main purpose of our study was the assessment of the effect of spa treatment on changes in concentration of TAS, CRP, and PRL in patients with osteoarthritis. Patients receiving spa treatment were enrolled. TAS, CRP, and PRL levels were obtained using standard tests before the beginning of treatment as well as on days 5 and 18. The study group consisted of n=35 patients with peripheral joint and spinal osteoarthritis. The control group consisted of 15 people selected from the resort staff, who also suffered from osteoarthritis and had no contact with radon. An increase in TAS concentration was found in the study group following therapy while the control group was characterized by a significant decrease in TAS. On day 5, an increase in TAS concentration was found in both groups, however, with much worse result in the control group. No changes in CRP concentration were statistically significant. PRL concentration was proven to decrease in a statistically significant way after treatment in the study group. This trial is registered with NCT03274128.

State of study of radon water in the surroundings of the city of Novosibirsk

A brief analysis of the state of knowledge of radon waters in the vicinity of the city of Novosibirsk is given. The main studies of the composition of radon waters were carried out in the 70–80s of the last century by the efforts of «Novosibirskgeologiya»; 12 deposits of radon waters were identified.To date, there are no scientific publications on the synthesis of data obtained more than 40 years ago. In this regard, the task of studying the radon waters of the largest Siberian metropolis at the current level is extremely urgent.

WATER QUALITY INDICATORS IN MINERAL SPRINGS OF THE REPUBLIC OF BURYATIA

Drinking mineral water is often used for therapeutic purposes, especially for treatment of the stomach, intestines, pancreas, liver, bile and urinary tract disorders. Mineral healing water is used for external (mineral baths) or internal use (inhalation, irrigation, douching, enema, drinking). At resorts, patients drink mineral water directly from springs. Bottling water ensures the preservation of the original composition and medicinal properties of samples. The authors evaluated the quality of mineral water from hard-to-reach areas of the Shumak Reserve, the Republic of Buryatia. Total water mineralization of samples was in the range 1.1 - 1.3 g/dm3, which indicates that Buriatia spring water belongs to natural-mineral table water group; It was established that the studied mineral water belongs to the hydro-carbonate-magnesium-calcium siliceous hydrochemical group (НСО3 85, Ca2+ 50-60, Mg2+ 30-50 equiv.%) with pH from 6.4 to 8.8. Among the balneologically active components of all water samples, silicon was in the range of 51.7 - 124.0 mg/dm3. The highest value was noted in spring No. 4 (“diabetes”) 124.0 ± 5.0 mg/dm3. Besides elevated levels of Si, all sprigs contained radioactive gas radon in concentrations between 33 to 1003 Bq/dm3. The highest radon content was found in spring No. 2: 1003 ± 119 Bq/dm3. This is higher than the threshold value of the content of a balneologically significant factor - 185 Bq/dm3 (5 nCi/dm3). Accordingly, water of spring No. 2, should be classified as low radon water and designed for external use.

The Assessment of the Integrated Antioxidant System of the Body in the Course of Radon Therapy: A Pilot Study

Introduction. The sources of Reactive Oxidative Species (ROS) in the organism are the respiratory processes occurring in cells catalyzed by different enzymes. Operation of ROS is balanced by antioxidants, the compounds; although present in low concentrations, they significantly inhibit the degree of oxidation of particular molecules. The Aim of the Study. The aim of this study was to assess the changes in the integrated antioxidant system under the influence of radon therapy in osteoarthritis patients. Material and Methods. Observation included 35 patients suffering from degenerative joints and disc disease (mean age 56.5 years) undergoing radon water therapy and control group that consisted of 15 osteoarthritis patients (mean age 54.2) without contact with radon water. Before therapy and after 18 days of treatment, serum total antioxidant status (TAS) was assessed with the use of standard colorimetric assay. Results. In the study group, we observed trends to increase TAS concentration, whereas, in the control group, TAS concentration was decreasing. Conclusions. (1) Radon waters treatment influenced the level of TAS of osteoarthritis patients treated with the radon water. (2) The change in TAS concentrations in the study group may be the result of low doses of ionizing radiation, but further studies on larger patient’s groups are demanded. This study is registered with number NCT03274128.

RADONOTHERAPY IN COMPLEX TREATMENT OF WOMEN WITH CHRONIC CYSTITIS

The results of observation of 60 patients aged 35-65 years who received radon therapy in a complex of chronic cystitis treatment are presented. The inclusion of gynecological radon irrigation in the complex resulted in a decrease in the number of urination per day and urgent urges, a decrease in the time of urination, the total time of urination, an increase in the volume of urination, the maximum and average rate of urination. Gynecological irrigation with radon water can be recommended as a component of complex therapy for chronic cystitis.