ABSTRACT
This comprehensive clinical and laboratory study was designed to elucidate the antioxidant status of the volunteers before and after a course of general infrared irradiation. It was shown that the effect of high temperatures promotes the development of oxidative stress that is followed by the formation of adaptive reactions in the form of activation of antioxidant protection, enhancement of non-specific responses of the cells, increase of stability and restoration of structural homeostasis of erythrocyte membranes. The molecular mechanism of endothelium-independent vasodilation develops by the end of the treatment period; it may serve as the compensatory-adaptive reaction needed to maintain the adequate tone of the vascular wall and thereby to support the functioning of mechanisms supporting physical thermoregulation. The results of the study give evidence of the stimulatory influence of the described method on the adaptive and protective potential of the organism. It is concluded that the proposed scheme of physiotherapeutic treatment may be used for prophylactic purposes.