[Effect of spa therapy on the endocrine system. I. Stress reaction hormones]

Abstract

The present study aimed to assess a.) the influence of spa treatment in Wysowa on the circadian rhythm of plasma concentration of ACTH, cortisol, growth hormone and prolactin, and b.) the influence of kind of pathology on the hormonal profile of the above mentioned hormones. Four groups of patients were examined. The first one comprised 48 patients with essential hypertension, the second one--47 patients with inflammatory renal disease with normal excretory renal function, the third one--39 patients with gastrointestinal diseases and cholelithiasis and the fourth one--41 patients with neurovegetative neurosis. The hormonal parameters were assessed during a clinical check-up, and after 4 and 20 days of spa therapy in Wysowa respectively. In all examined groups spa treatment was accompanied by a significant increase of serum concentrations of all examined hormones. Spa treatment did not influence the circadian rhythm of ACTH, cortisol, growth hormone and prolactin plasma concentration in all examined groups of patients.

Conclusion: spa therapy shows a marked influence on secretion of "stress" hormones, but does not influence the circadian rhythm of plasma concentration of these compounds.