303200
Health benefits of bathing in bathtub investigating through gene expression
Methods: The participants were 12 healthy adults and they were classified into 2 groups; only bathing in bathtub with hot water for 2 weeks continuously (N=6) and only taking shower in the same duration (N=6). Blood sampling was performed before and after taking bath or taking shower for 2 weeks. Gene expression was analyzed by total RNA from total blood using Whole Human Genome oligo DNA microarray (microarray-Ajirent co ltd.) We extracted total RNA expressed equally before the intervention which showed the increment of expression more than 130% after bathing in bathtub.
Result:In bathing group, 1262 probes showed the change of gene expression before and after intervention （fold change >1.3）. Among these probes, genes which showed up-regulation (more than 1.3) were 121 and which showed down-regulation were 118 in the comparison between bathing group and taking shower group after intervention. One hundred twenty one up-regulated genes included GABRG2 (fold change: 5.87), SIRT4 (fold change: 1.53), DEFA4 (fold change 1.62), and IRF4(fold change: 1.46). It has been known that these genes are involved in anti-stress (GABRG2), anti-aging (SIRT4), anti-bacteria (DEFA4), and anti-virus (IRF4).
Discussion: This study suggested that bathing in bathtub as a daily habit may contribute to the expression of genes which have benefits on one’s health.
Learning Areas:
Basic medical science applied in public healthBiostatistics, economics
Public health biology
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Evaluate the effects of Japanese bathing sytle on good health status
Keyword(s): Alternative and Complementary Health, Aging
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a principle investigator of Onsen medical science research center working of psychophisiological research. Bathing in bathtub with hot water is one of the special life habits among the Japanese.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.