Mechanism of the effect of radon therapy decoded
Transforming Growth Factor -ß (TGF-ß)
An indicator of the effect of the healing-cave cure among patients suffering from Bechterew’s disease.
Dr. Rainer Hubmann, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cytokine Research, University of Vienna
TGF-ß (transforming growth factor) is one of the messenger substances (cytokine) formed by differing cells and tissues (blood platelets, bones, etc.) that intercede as a regulation for diverse repair processes of the organism. Thus TGF-ß promotes the healing of wounds, regeneration of muscle- and nerve tissue and also inhibits excess immunological processes and inflammatory reactions.
An excess formation of TGF-ß, however, can lead to contrary reactions so that in the organism, as for all cytokines, a balance must be maintained.
The Gastein healing-cave cure could therefore effectively contribute to the regaining of these immunological homeostasis.
The analysis of more than 80 patients suffering from Bechterew’s disease (a chronic rheumatic disease that affects above all the spinal column, and under which about two percent of the population suffers) who had undertaken a healing-cave cure in Gastein showed at the end of the cure a significant rise of the TGF-ß serum level in 80% of the cases. There were no apparent changes under the same treatment conditions among control patients. This can be considered a valid indication that with TGF-ß there is for the first time a parameter available through which the therapeutic effect of the Gastein cure can be objectively assessed.
An essential reason for the excellent effect of radon is that it transforms latent TGF-ß available in the body into active TGF-ß. Thus a rapid effect is achieved on the one hand, and acute inflammation is reduced on the other.
Extremely important here, however, is also the long-term effect. A single impulse is often sufficient to bring about an effect. And with the healing-cave cure, a healing process is triggered through this increase of TGF-ß, which is often measurable and noticeable after some months.
Dr. Rainer Hubmann