Sulphurous Mineral Water Research Articles

DRASTIC Index GIS-Based Vulnerability Map for the Entre-os-Rios Thermal Aquifer

The sulphurous mineral waters of ‘Entre-os-Rios’, which is sited in NW Portugal, are famous for their long history as thermal baths dating back at least to the mid-sixteenth century. Because of the singularity of its water composition, especially the highest sulphur content, the mineral waters of ‘Entre-os-Rios’ are one of the most important sulphurous waters in Portugal. Despite these mineral waters having a protection perimeter buffer zone to avoid water contamination, there are potentially damaging installations (e.g., fuel station) in the closed protection buffer zone that, according to existing law, are not permitted within the protection perimeters, which defeats the purpose of their delineation. A vulnerability map was created using geographic information system (GIS) tools based on multi-criteria analysis, combining thematic maps and parameters of the DRASTIC index, for evaluating the risk of contamination in the protection area. The results showed that within the perimeter, there was a low risk of pollution. The alluvium-covered terrain was vulnerable to moderate contamination, but it was far from the catchment point. Areas of minimal risk corresponded to locations where the granitic massif had not been significantly weathered. The map enables information collection for a better definition of local resource structures and planning, namely, for restricted areas emplacement where some activities should not be allowed (e.g., agriculture and water prospection), given its influence on the confined granitic aquifer.

Hydropinotherapy with Sulphurous Mineral Water as Complementary Treatment to Improve Glucose Metabolism, Oxidative Status, and Quality of Life.

Hydropinotherapy is a salus per aquam (Spa) treatment suitable as a complementary approach to treat several diseases, which strongly affect the quality of life (QoL). Hydropinotherapy with sulphurous mineral water exerts benefits thanks to components, such as hydrogen sulphide, which is considered mainly responsible for antioxidant and hypoglycaemic effects. Such properties, linked from each other, could favour an improvement in patients’ QoL. However, data on humans are scarce. This study aimed to investigate whether a cycle of sulphurous hydropinotherapy was able to modify plasma levels of glucose and reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) and improve QoL in patients suffering from several chronic disorders. A prospective, observational study involved patients with gastrointestinal diseases who received a prescription of a cycle of sulphurous hydropinotherapy (S-HT). Age- and sex-matched control group was enrolled (No S-HT). Glycaemia and plasma concentration of ROMs were measured in all subjects. The impact of spa treatment on the QoL was assessed using the Short Form 36 Health Status Survey questionnaire (SF-36). All parameters were measured at baseline and at the end of a 2-week treatment. Between the groups, no differences were found in glycaemia and ROMs at baseline. In the S-HT group, a reduction in glycaemia and ROMs, both in respect to baseline (p = 0.005 and p = 0.031, respectively) and to control group, as shown by the delta value calculated, as the difference between the values at 2 weeks and baseline (p = 0.0009 and p = 0.0001, respectively). In the S-HT, delta ROMs was the best predictor of delta glycaemia with a direct linear correlation (beta = 0.559, 95% CI 0.471 to 0.647, p < 0.0001). In the S-HT, the SF-36 total score was improved both when compared with baseline (p = 0.002) and with No S-HT (p = 0.001). Sulphurous hydropinotherapy induces a decrease in glycaemia and ROM levels, also ameliorating the patients’ QoL. Therefore, it could be considered a useful complementary therapeutic approach.

Artificial intelligence applied to model the sulphur absorption process - a possible application in cure with sulphurous mineral water

The presence of Sulphur in human body is estimated to be around .25 percent from total body weight. The modern therapy includes among others the usage of Sulphur us spring waters as crenotherapy or external use like - therapeutic and preventive treatment for a large category of diseases. High levels of hydrogen sulphide are extremely toxic and as result the model of absorption of Sulphur could be useful as predictor in a daily treatment during a cure with sulphurous mineral water. This quantity of chemical elements from a specific diet rich in these elements absorbed in human organism is one of the most important characteristics of a benefic cure in medical diseases. The most studied mechanisms of absorption were studied for Zinc, Magnesium, Iron and Calcium. The most common way to develop a mathematical model is to use the pharmacokinetic equations based on Michaelis-Menten approach (first order model) and to develop it thereafter for quantitative relations. In some cases, only experimental data can exists and the pharmacokinetic model is not completely elucidated or a simplified model doesn’t exist yet. A model based on genetic programming is proposed in order to discover a mathematical relationship between dietary sulphate (mmol/day) and total sulphate in ileostomy fluid (mmol/day) using experimental data published in literature. The set of terminals that are used in genetic programing – GP (using Polish notation) is reduced to basic operation (sum, difference, multiplication and division) along with the most plausible operations that could have physical meaning: rooted square, exponential and power. The formulas discovered by GP using experimental proved a good fit of data with discovered mathematical formula, e.g. the rooted mean square error below 1.5% and R2  94.36%. Mathematical formulas discovered by genetic programming can be used as an alternative to pharmacokinetic model in order to predict sulphate and sulphite absorption and excretion. The usage of this method is especially efficient when the mechanism of absorption in not elucidated enough to provide a compartmental model given by a set of equations. A correlation with pharmacokinetic equations in the case that these exist will help the improvement of terminals and alphabet used by genetic programming in order to have a model closer to one that have a physical meaning

Effects of sulphur-containing mineral water intake on oxidative status and markers for inflammation in healthy subjects

Context Sulphurous mineral waters (SMW) have a wide range of applications. Sulphur content of mineral waters is considered as possible determinant for their anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory effects. Objective To explore the healing properties of Varna basin mineral water by analysing possible antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Materials and methods An intervention with Varna SMW intake was performed with healthy volunteers. Total thiols, total glutathione and its fractions, reactive oxygen metabolites, malondialdehyde, intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) were measured. Expression of γ-gluthamyl-cysteinyl ligase (GCL) and sICAM-1 genes was also analysed. Results A significantly increased total glutathione and total thiols were observed at the end of the intervention. GCL and sICAM-1 gene expressions were increased after the intervention. Conclusion SMW consumption improved redox status of the body. We suggested that these beneficial effects may be attributed to the established high levels of sulphur-containing compounds in Varna mineral water.

Hydrogeochemical characterization of the urban coastal aquifers of Napoli (southern Italy): an overview

The presence of phenomena of salt water intrusion in aquifers located in coastal urbanized areas, especially depended on the use of groundwater, is a widespread problem in the world. The study deals with the large coastal belt of the Municipality of Naples(southern Italy), located between the volcanic areas of the Somma-Vesuvius (East) and the Phlegrean Fields (West). Three different coastal sectors were analysed: the plain of Bagnoli-Fuorigrotta (BF), the area of Mount Echia (E) and the area of Eastern Naples (EN). Acquired chemical data allowed of the identification of three different groundwater chemical features and the prevalent absence of sea water contamination, mainly due to the low use of these waters. The study highlighted the chief role of the presence of faults in this volcanic area, favouring the upwelling of gases (prevalently CO2). These gases increase the groundwater reactivity causing, in the Mount Echia sector, the presence of sulphurous mineral waters and, in the Bagnoli-Fuorigrotta sector, determining the alteration of the natural relationship between freshwater and saltwater. Moreover, in the Eastern Naples sector, the occurrence of lenses of peat, which play an important hydrogeologic role as aquiclude, can determine reducing condition in the aquifers, with high concentrations in Fe and Mn.

Environmental hydrogeochemistry assessment as a tool for sustainable hydromineral resources management (Entre-os-Rios thermal baths, NW Portugal)

Portugal is a country rich in hydromineral resources mostly encompassed by alkaline sulphurous groundwater. These waters are mostly confined in the so-called Ancient Massif and result from the infiltration of meteoric waters that may reach great depths giving groundwater special physicochemical characteristics. The main aim of the research was to evaluate the hydrogeochemical evolution of the sulphurous mineral waters of Entre-os-Rios, as well as to achieve a better knowledge of the hydromineral system and to improve its hydrogeological conceptual model. Entre-os-Rios thermal baths are sited in NW Portugal and are recognised for their thermal spa tradition that dates back at least to the middle of sixteenth century. The hydromineral resources of Entre-os-Rios emerge from a confined granitic aquifer, deep seated, and are geotectonically controlled. Hydrochemical data was collected, both from the main mineral spring waters (Torre, Curveira, Arcos Esquerda, and Arcos Direita) and Barbeitos well. Hydrochemical analyses were gathered, including organoleptic characteristics, physicochemical properties, major anions, and cations and minor elements from the 1938 to 2017 periods. In addition, some historical data, from late 19th to early 20th centuries, were included. Moreover, some isotopic hydrology data were discussed (oxygen-18, deuterium, and tritium). Entre-os-Rios groundwater is colourless, with no turbidity, and has a foul odour of rotten eggs, has a low temperature, 17°–21 °C, is alkaline, pH values 8.4–8.8, a total mineralisation lower than 500 mg/L and a high total sulphuration, about 24 mg/L. Major anions follow the tendency HCO3 > Cl > F > SO4 > CO3, with high concentrations of fluoride, 18–21 mg/L and major cations follow the tendency Na > Ca > K > Li > NH4 > Mg. Among minor elements, boron, caesium, and tungsten have the highest concentrations, 986 µg/L, 247 µg/L, and 186 µg/L, respectively. The dominant hydrogeochemical facies are Na–HCO3. Isotopic data indicate a meteoric origin for Entre-os-Rios mineral waters, with a long residence time in the aquifer system, and that these waters are, most probably, sub-modern, recharged prior to 1952. The mineral waters of Entre-os-Rios are one of the most important sulphurous groundwater in Portugal and their hydrogeochemical status exhibited a good equilibrium through the last 100 years.

Sulphurous vaginal douching and vulvovaginal atrophy

During climacteric the reduction or interruption of estrogenic stimulus determines a gradual atrophy of the tissues of the urogenital tract.Vulvovaginal atrophy can be cause of dryness, itch, burning, and dyspareunia. Vulvovaginal atrophy is associated also with depression. Hence the importance of an appropriate treatment of the vulvovaginal atrophy. Between therapeutic options we can add, particularly for women who suffer only from vaginal symptoms, the spa therapy that uses mineral waters with benefic effects on vaginal tissue wellness and health. On the basis of considerations described above and on the insufficient literature data, the objective of our single-arm pilot study has been to evaluate, in women suffering from vulvovaginal atrophy, the effects and safety of a vaginal douching cycle with sulphurous mineral water and impact on depression disorder frequently observed. The study was conducted on 24 women affected by vulvovaginal atrophy; mean age:57±11 years; age range:42-81 years. The subjects were treated, for 2 weeks, with sulphurous vaginal douching from Terme of Telese S.p.A. (Benevento-Italy). At the beginning and at the end of the SPA treatment the following symptoms were evaluated: dryness, burning, itch, dyspareunia and leucorrhoea (using VAS scale); the impact on psychological distress (using S.D.S. Zung-test). At the end of the spa treatment, the mean values±SD, compared to baseline, have showed a significant (p<0.05) reduction in leucorrhoea (-88%), in vulvar itch (-79%), in vaginal burning (-71%), in vaginal dryness (-65%) with an improvement of psichological distress as demonstrated by S.D.S. Zung-test. The data of this single-arm pilot clinical trial show that the sulphurous vaginal douching cycle can be considered very useful in women suffering from vulvovaginal atrophy with improving of the quality of life and social relationship.

Sulphurous Mineral Waters: New Applications for Health.

Sulphurous mineral waters have been traditionally used in medical hydrology as treatment for skin, respiratory, and musculoskeletal disorders. However, driven by recent intense research efforts, topical treatments are starting to show benefits for pulmonary hypertension, arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, ischemia-reperfusion injury, heart failure, peptic ulcer, and acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. The beneficial effects of sulphurous mineral waters, sulphurous mud, or peloids made from sulphurous mineral water have been attributed to the presence of sulphur mainly in the form of hydrogen sulphide. This form is largely available in conditions of low pH when oxygen concentrations are also low. In the organism, small amounts of hydrogen sulphide are produced by some cells where they have numerous biological signalling functions. While high levels of hydrogen sulphide are extremely toxic, enzymes in the body are capable of detoxifying it by oxidation to harmless sulphate. Hence, low levels of hydrogen sulphide may be tolerated indefinitely. In this paper, we review the chemistry and actions of hydrogen sulphide in sulphurous mineral waters and its natural role in body physiology. This is followed by an update of available data on the impacts of exogenous hydrogen sulphide on the skin and internal cells and organs including new therapeutic possibilities of sulphurous mineral waters and their peloids.

Effect of sulphurous mineral water in haematological and biochemical markers of muscle damage after an endurance exercise in well-trained athletes

To investigate the effects of sulphurous mineral water (SMW) after a hydroponic treatment on muscle damage, antioxidant activity and peripheral blood changes induced by submaximal exercise. Thirty well-trained male triathletes were supplemented with SMW or placebo: 3 weeks of placebo, 30 days of wash out and 3 weeks of SMW. After both periods, participants ran for 2 h at 70% maximal aerobic speed. Antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant capacity and blood cell markers were compared between placebo and SMW at pre-exercise (T0), immediately post-exercise (T1), 24 h post-exercise (T2) and 48 h post-exercise (T3). Total thiols decreased until T3 vs. T0 for both placebo and SMW; transient red blood cells, haemoglobin and haematocrit increased were shown at T1 vs. T0 and for leucocytes until T2 vs. T0, only for placebo group. Total thiols increased significantly in SMW vs. placebo at T0; Thiobarbituric acid reactive species was significantly higher at T0, T1, T2 and T3; catalase increased significantly at T1; creatine phosphokinase decreased significantly at T1, T2 and T3, although no significant differences were found at T0. Furthermore, red blood cells, haemoglobin and haematocrit were significantly higher and leucocytes were significantly lower at T0 and T1 in SMW group vs. placebo group. This study suggests that three weeks of SMW supplementation may protect from exercise-induced muscle damage.

Quality of life and assessment after local application of sulphurous water in the home environment in patients with psoriasis vulgaris: A randomised placebo-controlled pilot study

AimPsoriasis one of the most common dermatological diseases and has been treated in the Sulphurous Mineral Waters (SMW) Balneary or Spa. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a short-term treatment with SMW and to assess this treatment's impact on the quality of life of the patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Materials and methodsThe present study is a pilot, randomised, triple-blind study that was conducted over a month and a half with patients from the province of Zaragoza (Spain). The patients were divided randomly into two groups that were treated simultaneously: the treatment group (TG) that received SMW from a spring known as “Platea”, which was located in the town of Calatayud (Spain), and the control group (CG) that received distilled water. The patients applied the water on the affected areas of their skin at home by themselves using a spray. Assessment was done by a physician and a psychologist trained with PASI and DLQI at days 1, 8, and 15 of the treatment. ResultsIn the TG the percentage of patients who arrived at PASI50, was 21.05%, whereas in the CG of 16.66%; however, no significant differences were observed between the treatments or their clinical efficacies as defined by the increases in the index percentages. ConclusionsThis pilot study demonstrates that there is sufficient patient acceptance for future research with larger sample sizes should evaluate the effects of SMW in psoriasis versus that of the placebo.

Rôle de l’eau minérale sulfurée dans la SPA thérapie de l’arthrose

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common degenerative osteoarticular disease, is cause of pain and limitations in physical function with high disability that can conduct to a state of psycological stress, not always considered adequately, with negative impact on the quality of life. The mud and bath therapy can improve this aspect. However, these studies are insufficient. The objective of our research was to evaluate the impact of SPA therapy cycle on safety, efficacy and psychosocial disability in osteoarthritis. The study was carried out on 99 subjects suffering from OA. The patients has treated for 12 days with applications of sulphurous mud-bath therapy from "Terme di Telese" (Benevento, Italy). At the beginning and at the end of the SPA therapy considered has assessed: 1) the adverse reactions; 2) the efficacy on the pain and functional limitations; c) the impact on the psychosocial function using the VAS scale, the SF-36 questionnaire, the WOMAC index and the SDS-Zung test. Statistical analysis of the data was performed by determining the mean ± SD. The results were compared with the Student "t" test or Wilcoxon test. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant. In comparison to the basal values, this investigation has demonstrated that sulphurous mud and bath therapy has induced a significant (p < 0.01) improvement of overall quality of life with reduction of pain at rest (2.1 ± 1.5 → 1.2 ± 1.3) and during daily activities (2.3 ± 1.3 → 1.4 ± 1.3). This has facilitated the physical function and psychosocial disability as shown by the questionnaires SF-36, WOMAC and SDS Zung. In conclusion our data suggest that mud-bath therapy with sulphurous mineral water can be considered as an important phase of the therapeutic strategy in OA.

Recent results about antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of sulphurous water

The purpose of this study was to gather the most significant articles that highlight the antioxidant and immunomodulatory role of sulphurous mineral water (SMW), also validating scientifically its use in medical treatment.

Recent results about antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of sulphurous water

The purpose of this study was to gather the most significant articles that highlight the antioxidant and immunomodulatory role of sulphurous mineral water (SMW), also validating scientifically its use in medical treatment.

The Antiapoptotic Effects of Sulphurous Mineral Water and Sodium Hydrosulphide on Diabetic Rat Testes

Background/Aims: It is well known that diabetes mellitus is associated with the impairment of testicular function. In the present study, we aimed to study the effects of sulphurous mineral water or sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS) on apoptotic testicular damage in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Methods: Sulphurous mineral water (as drinking water) or NaHS (14 µmol/kg body weight/day, I.P.) was administered for 7 wks to rats with STZ-induced diabetes. Results: Hyperglycaemia, an overproduction of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) and a decline in serum insulin, C-peptide and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) were observed in diabetic rats. A decline in the serum testosterone level and an impairment of spermatogenesis, as indicated by a histopathological examination of diabetic rats, demonstrated significant testicular damage. Sulphurous mineral water and NaHS treatment may have improved the level of testicular GSH by blocking the overexpression of some apoptosis-related regulatory proteins such as Bax/Bcl-2, cytochrome c, caspase-9 and -3, and p53. This anti-apoptotic potential was associated with an increase in serum testosterone level and the amelioration of hyperglycaemia-related biochemical parameters. The histopathological examination was in harmony with the biochemical and molecular findings. Conclusion: Our study provides the first indication that sulphurous mineral water and NaHS may have a novel anti-apoptotic potential that could be a useful treatment in preventing diabetes-induced testicular dysfunction.

Sulphurous mineral water oral therapy: Effects on erythrocyte metabolism

The ingestion of water containing hydrogen sulphide (H 2S) is common in spring sulphurous mineral water (SMW) therapy. We hypothesized that observed detrimental effects are related to the alteration of erythrocytes metabolism caused by H 2S. To verify our hypothesis, we treated 20 healthy volunteers with SMW and evidenced an increase of methemoglobin concentration, an inhibition of both erythrocyte glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activities. To investigate the mechanism of H 2S effect on GAPDH activity, an in vitro study was performed by incubating both erythrocytes from 12 healthy volunteers and purified GAPDH with buffered [ 35S]-H 2S labelled sulphurous water. The interaction between H 2S and NAD +(H), was also investigated. The results indicate that a direct reaction between GAPDH and H 2S does not occur and the observed decrease of GAPDH activity is to ascribe to the reaction between H 2S and NAD +(H). This may lead to GAPDH inhibition by two ways, namely (i) cellular NAD +(H) reduced availability and (ii) catalytic site blockage. In conclusion, our results show that among the detrimental effects of SMW administration are erythrocyte GAPDH and G6PDH activity inhibition and increased methemoglobin concentration. A mechanism to explain the occurrence of these biochemical events is also proposed.

Einfluss von Schwefeltrinkkuren auf Parameter des Lipidstoffwechsels, den antioxidativen Status und die Konzentration von Peroxiden bei Kurpatienten

The aim of the study was to test the effect of drinking sulphurous mineral water on lipid status and antioxidative balance in patients with degenerative arthroses during a 3-week stay in a health resort. Two groups of patients with and without drinking sulphurous water were investigated. Lipid levels, glutathione peroxidase, superoxidedismutase, antioxidative status, and peroxide concentration in plasma were measured. In both groups similar alterations of the activities of antioxidative enzymes as well as peroxide concentrations could be detected. Possible specific effects of drinking sulphurous mineral water have to be investigated in further studies.

Les eaux minérales sulfurées. Problématique générale

Sulphurous mineral waters have been known for a very long time, but their geological origin and classification are still the subject of debate.From the standpoint of physical chemistry, thermodynamics provides a large number of data most of which cannot be checked experimentally because the analysis of these waters represents a major problem for the chemist despite the development of special techniques.Physical chemical investigation is complicated by the fact that these waters are unstable in contact with the air. This phenomenon is of particular importance because the reduced sulphur species that appear after emergence of the water will be more or less suitable for pharmacological use although their appearance will depend in particular on the operating conditions.