The aim of the study is to investigate whether inhalation treatment with high-sulfide waters from some spas (referred to as "thermal waters"), performed for 12 consecutive days, is able to change circulating H2S levels and alter bone metabolism. Identifying a clear correlation between circulating levels of H2S and sulfur water administration, as well as a potential anabolic effect on bone, would set the stage for new studies that could have important clinical implications for promoting health and preventing osteoporosis
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
50
osteopenic patients are subject to a 12-days cycle of 30 minutes-long inhalatory treatment with sulfureous aerosol
Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli
Bologna, Italy
Measurement of biomarkers of bone turnover, marker #1
Procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), marker of bone formation
Time frame: 15 days
Measurement of biomarkers of bone turnover, marker #2
Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), marker of bone formation
Time frame: 15 days
Measurement of biomarkers of bone turnover, marker #3
serum C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-1), marker of bone resorption
Time frame: 15 days
Measurement of serum H2S levels
serum H2S levels will be assessed through HPLC
Time frame: 15 days
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