Aim: 

It is known that mineral water rich in sulphur are exogenous sources of hydrogen sulphide, and that the intake of such waters improves body redox state. The effects of drinking sulphurous mineral water on the immune system have not yet been described. Since leukocyte function is a good marker of health, the aim of the present work is to assess the effect of sulphurous mineral water intake on several immune functions and the redox state of peritoneal cells from mature mice.

Methods: 

Twelve months old female ICR-CD1 mice were divided in two groups: one received sulphurous water and the other tap water (control group). The treatment took place five days a week during five weeks. Peritoneal leukocytes were obtained at the end of the first, second and fifth weeks. The parameters studied were natural killer activity, microbicidal capacity (with latex or phorbol myristate acetate as stimulus) and total glutahione levels.

Results: 

Mice that received sulphurous water showed a significant increase in NK activity and microbicidal capacity in response to latex after five weeks of treatment. Stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate did not show any differences between groups. Sulphurous water intake also lead to higher total glutathione levels with respect to the control group in the three time-points studied.

Conclusion: 

The beneficial effects of drinking sulphurous water on the immune functions studied and on total glutathione levels suggest that their ingestion is a possible strategy for maintaining good health with ageing.

Financial support: 

Foundation for Research and Innovation in Medical Hydrology and Spas (Bilbilis Foundation) and Research Group UCM (910379ENEROINN) grants. RETICEF (RD06/0013/0003) (ISCIII).