Capacidad antioxidante de la balneoterapia con aguas minero-medicinales sulfuradas y sulfatadas

[Purpose]: The measurement of urinary production of Thiobarbituric Acid Reactant Substances (TBARS) from an homogeneus population (within a control environment) provides us with a huge amount of information about the process of human lipoperoxidation or aging. The crenotherapy treatment, using bicarbonated-sulfated mineral waters, decreases the TBARS production. It is probably due to the sulphur absortion which increases the -SH radicals included in the gluthation tripeptid. These -SH radicals work like free radicals scavengers.[Objective]: To study and evaluate the effects of crenotherapeutic treatment with bicarbonated-sulfated waters, in order to obtain significant results in a spa population of people over 65.[Material and methods]: Prospective clinical study, performed in the spa with bicarbonated-sulfated waters found in Jaraba-Sicilia (Zaragoza), in three different time periods, with 120 volunteers from the Social Thermalism Program of the IMSERSO, 60 men and 60 women (average age 70,9±0,5), with no statistically significant (ss) difference in the age of both groups. The groups were homogeneous overall, dependently paired samples, and of the same size. Urine samples were obtained in order to determine the concentration of Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Species (TBARS) through spectrophotometry on arrival at the spa, after 9 and 14 days of treatment. A complete case history was done and the different medical variables were evaluated after topical application of crenotherapy (baths between 37,5-39°C, 15') and/or hydropinic application. The urinary samples were analyzed following a modification of the technique described in 1978 by Mihara et al. Results: Urinary production of lipid peroxidation products (TBARS), mainly Malondialdehyde, was 0.368±0.0095 nM/ml on arrival, 0,352±0,0088 nM/ml after 9 days of treatment, and 0,337±0,0083 nM/ml at the end of the treatment, after 14 days of crenotherapy. The post-crenotherapeutic benefit obtained in the oxidative state (Therapeutic Effect, ET) was -0,016±0,0019 (4,35%) after nine days. This benefit doubled after 14 days, -0,031±0,0017 (8,4%). The decrease obtained in the oxidation levels was statistically significant (p