Effects of Radon From Hot Springs on Lymphocyte Subsets in Peripheral Blood

OBJECTIVE: To analyze changes in immune functions by detecting lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of residents in the vicinity of radon from hot springs. METHODS: Two groups were randomly selected; 61 residents in the vicinity of the hot springs were assigned to the radon group, and 51 residents with a similar lifestyle and habits but no contact with hot springs were assigned to the control group. The percentages of lymphocyte subsets (CD3(+), CD4(+)CD8(−), CD4(−)CD8(+), CD4(+)/CD8(+), and TCR/CD3) in the 2 groups were evaluated on a FACS Aria flow cytometer. The absolute values of lymphocytes (LYMPH#) and percentages of lymphocytes (LYMPH%) were measured by an automatic blood analyzer. RESULTS: In the radon group, the numbers of CD3(+) (Z = −0.140, P > .05) and CD4(+)CD8(−) (Z = −0.964, P > .05) T cells were higher, as compared with the controls, but this difference was not significant. In addition, the number of CD4(−)CD8(+) (t = −2.141, P < .05) T cells was significantly lower in the radon group. Furthermore, the average ratios of CD4(+)/CD8(+) (t = −2.201, P < .05) and TCR/CD3 (t = 2.047, P < .05) cells were significantly higher in the radon group than in the controls. Compared with the control group, the LYMPH# (t = −0.485, P > .05) and LYMPH% (Z = −0.835, P > .05) showed no significant change. CONCLUSION: Radon-rich hot springs could alter the proportions of lymphocyte subsets and possibly affect immunologic functions.