title: Effects of ionized waterfall aerosol on pediatric allergic asthma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ionized water aerosols have been suggested to exert beneficial health effects on pediatric allergic asthma. Their effect was evaluated in a randomized controlled clinical trial as part of a summer asthma camp.
  
  
  METHODS
  Asthmatic allergic children (n = 54) spent 3 weeks in an alpine asthma camp; half of the group was exposed to water aerosol of an alpine waterfall for 1 hour per day, whereas the other half spent the same time at a "control site". Immunological analysis, lung function testing, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) testing were performed during the stay, and sustaining effects were evaluated 2 months later. Symptom score testing was done over a period of 140 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The water aerosol group showed a significant improvement in all lung function parameters, whereas only the peak expiratory flow improved in the control group. All patients showed a significant improvement in symptom score and a significant decrease in FeNO after the camp. Only the water aerosol group exhibited a long-lasting effect on asthma symptoms, lung function, and inflammation in the follow-up examination. Induction of interleukin (IL)-10 and regulatory T (Treg) cells was measured in both groups, with a pronounced increase in the water aerosol group. IL-13 was significantly decreased in both groups, whereas IL-5 and eosinophil cationic protein were decreased only in the water aerosol group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings confirm the induction of Treg cells and reduction in inflammation by climate therapy. They indicate a synergistic effect of water aerosols resulting in a long-lasting beneficial effect on asthma symptoms, lung function, and airway inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gaisberger
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Šanović
authors.forename: Heidemarie
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dobias
authors.forename: Predrag
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kolarž
authors.forename: Angelika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moder
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thalhamer
authors.forename: Amina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Selimović
authors.forename: Isidor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Huttegger
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ritter
authors.forename: Arnulf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hartl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000336:Aerosols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D001944:Breath Tests; D002165:Camping; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D013147:Spirometry; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D014867:Water / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D007378:Interleukins; D014867:Water; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007073:Immunoglobulin E