Effects of mud-pack treatment on plasma cytokine and soluble adhesion molecule levels in healthy volunteers

Background: The suggested hypothesis of a direct anti-inflammatory property of mud-pack treatment has led us to speculate that its action on the cytokine network might counteract the heat-stress-related effects on platelet and endothelial cell function often reported following hot-spring baths. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the effects of a cycle of 12 daily mud-pack treatments on bio-humoral markers of inflammation, as-well as on markers of in vivo platelet and/or endothelial cell activation, in plasma samples obtained from healthy volunteers. Methods: Blood samples were obtained before (T-0), at the end of the first treatment (T-1) and after a cycle of 12 daily mud-pack treatments (T-2). Plasma cytokines (TNF-alpha IL-1 beta, and IL-6) and adhesion molecules (sP-selectin, sE-selectin and sVCAM) levels, as well as hematocrit and complete and differential blood cell counts were determined at every time point. Results: Plasma sP-selectin levels were not modified during treatment, as were not sE-selectin or sVCAM. Similarly, IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha levels were unchanged through a 12 daily mud-pack treatment. Conversely, plasma IL-6 levels were significantly lowered at the end of a 20-min 47 degreesC mud-pack treatment (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The lack of effects on in vivo platelet and/or endothelial cell activation suggests that hot mud-pack treatment might be used as a relatively safe procedure in patients with atherothrombotic disorders. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.