Shinrin-yoku (forest-air bathing and walking) effectively decreases blood glucose levels in diabetic patients.

The influence of "shinrin-yoku" (forest-air bathing and walking) on blood glucose levels in diabetic patients was examined. Eighty-seven (29 male and 58 female) non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients [61 (SEM 1) years old] participated in the present study. Shinrin-yoku was performed nine times over a period of 6 years.

Involvement of Ras in the expression of glycolipid sulfotransferase in human renal cancer cells.

Glycolipid sulfotransferase activity in a human renal cell carcinoma cell line, SMKT-R3, is enhanced by epidermal growth factor (EGF); tyrosine kinase inhibitors suppress this enhancement. To investigate the involvement of Ras in the signal transduction pathway from the EGF receptor to the expression of glycolipid sulfotransferase, we introduced v-H-ras into SMKT-R3 cells. In a quiescent state, the percent GTP bound to Ras in v-H-ras-expressing cells increased about 2.

Balneotherapy and platelet glutathione metabolism in type II diabetic patients.

Effects of balneotherapy on platelet glutathione metabolism were investigated in 12 type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients. Levels of the reduced form of glutathione (GSH) on admission were well correlated with those of fasting plasma glucose (FPG; r = 0.692, P < 0.

Continuous measurement of blood pressure, heart rate and left ventricular performance during and after isometric exercise in head-out water immersion.

Experiments were performed to determine the changes in blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and left ventricular function during and after isometric knee extension during thermoneutral (35 degrees C) head-out water immersion (HWI) or in air. Seven healthy male subjects mean age 24 (SD 3) years kept their knees extended (60% maximal voluntary extension) until they reached exhaustion. The mean BP at rest was 80 (SD 10) and 78 (SD 8) mmHg [10.