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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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2020.)