Ozone high dose therapy (OHT) improves mitochondrial bioenergetics in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Background: The worldwide increasing number of people with chronic diseases is pushing conventional therapy to its limits. The so-called Major AutoHaemo Therapy (MAH) has been used in many practices for years. Despite suspicions, especially the 10-passes ozone-high-dosis Therapy (OHT) has shown substantial benefits in chronic ailments. However, knowledge of scientifically based effects of high ozone concentrations are still rare. The present investigation focussed on verifying whether OHT may be linked to a beneficial effect on mitochondrial bioenergetics which can be expressed as a bioenergetic health index (BHI). Methods: We report on six patients which received OHT for preventive purposes twice within one week. The BHI in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) is calculated from parameters of a cellular mitochondrial function assay, which gives insights into different aspects of mitochondrial function: 1) Basal oxygen consumption rate (OCR); 2) ATP-linked OCR and proton leak; 3) Maximal OCR and reserve capacity; 4) Non-mitochondrial OCR. Results: The results clearly show that the bioenergetic health index in PBMC improves significantly after just 2 OHT applications over a period of 1 week. The overall improvement of the BHI is based primarily on a significant increase in the reserve capacity and the maximum respiration of the mitochondria. The increase in non-mitochondrial oxygen consumption, which has a negative impact on the BHI value, is indicative for the Nrf-2 dependent activation of antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes activated through OHT. Conclusion: These data demonstrate for the first time the beneficial effect of OHT on mitochondrial parameters. Thus, the results of this study suggest that OHT could be a safe and effective therapeutic option alone or as integrative and complementary support for pharmacological therapy in a variety of chronic and acute diseases where mitochondrial dysfunction plays a central role.

Novel method for the cryopreservation of testicular sperm and ejaculated spermatozoa from patients with severe oligospermia: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate Volvox globator as an easy-to-handle vehicle and as a safe alternative for cryopreservation of functional motile sperm cells. DESIGN: Prospective, controlled, clinical pilot study. SETTING: Two in vitro fertilization (IVF) outpatient clinics for reproductive medicine. PATIENT(S): Fifteen patients with severe male infertility (density <100 motile sperm per milliliter) who were recruited from two IVF programs. The sperm cells were not intended for clinical use after thawing. INTERVENTION(S): In each case, a predetermined number (n = 8) of motile and morphologically intact sperm cells were injected into each Volvox sphere and then cryopreserved. The quality of the sperm cells and the handling of the Volvox spheres were verified. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Postthaw recovery rate in cases of severe male infertility and the amount of motile sperm after thawing. RESULT(S): The postthaw recovery rate was 100%. At least 60% of the sperm cells were motile after thawing. CONCLUSION(S): The use of the spherical algae Volvox globator offers a promising, inexpensive, and easy approach to the cryopreservation of functional motile sperm cells. Volvox globator is an alternative in countries that prohibit the destructive use of oocytes, even after fertilization has failed.

Emphysema of the abdominal wall obscuring postcesarean volvulus. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Emphysema of the abdominal wall occurs after infection with gas-forming organisms or when intraabdominal gas has a mechanical pathway to the retroperitoneum. CASE: Emphysema of the abdominal wall associated with volvulus developed after cesarean delivery. CONCLUSION: Postcesarean abdominal pathology may be associated with emphysema of the abdominal wall.

Heterotopic pregnancy: report of three cases.

OBJECTIVE: Heterotopic pregnancy, defined as concomitant intrauterine and ectopic pregnancy, is a rare event. Assisted reproductive technologies have led to an increase in the number of heterotopic pregnancies. MATERIALS AND METHOD: From 1997 to 1999 three cases of heterotopic pregnancies were referred to the gynecological unit of the hospital of St. Pölten. The condition was diagnosed at 7, 8 and 12 weeks of gestation, respectively. Two patients had undergone assisted reproductive technologies and former pelvic surgery for tubal pregnancy. Two patients had intrauterine singleton pregnancies and one patient had an intrauterine twin pregnancy. In all cases the ectopic site presented as a ruptured tubal pregnancy and the treatment consisted of laparoscopic salpingectomy. RESULTS: In all patients the postoperative course was uneventful and the intrauterine pregnancy progressed. In one case recurrent preterm labor led to vaginal delivery at 33 weeks of pregnancy. In the case of twin pregnancy, a planned cesarean section was performed at 37 weeks of gestation. One patient delivered at term. All newborns were healthy. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of heterotopic pregnancy and understanding the epidemiological risk factors underlying this condition are important for early diagnosis with the aim of improving therapy and clinical outcome.

Influence on fetal blood pH when adding amniotic fluid: an in vitro model.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of contamination with amniotic fluid in different quantities on fetal capillary blood pH. DESIGN: In vitro model. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics, St Pölten Hospital. SAMPLE: Venous umbilical blood and amniotic fluid from 35 women who underwent amniotomy during labour. METHODS: Venous umbilical blood was mixed in vitro with amniotic fluid in diluted series (venous umbilical blood/amniotic fluid, 10:1 to 1:1). In every case two parallel runs of the dilution series in an inverted fashion were performed to rule out a possible time-dependent bias of the pH measurements. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: pH change in dilutions of umbilical venous blood with amniotic fluid: 10:1, +0.07 (0.02); 8:1, +0.08 (0.02); 6:1, +0.08 (0.03); 4:1, +0.07 (0.02); 2:1, +0.09 (0.03); 1:1, +0.12 (0.05); all P < 0.001. RESULTS: Amniotic fluid pH increases, whereas umbilical blood pH decreases slightly over time since collection. Dilutions of umbilical venous blood with amniotic fluid resulted in a significant pH rise. There was no significant difference between the two inversely performed dilution series. CONCLUSION: Amniotic fluid influences in vitro fetal venous blood pH immediately after contact. This observation indicates the possible masking of a fetus in distress by fetal scalp blood pH determination when amniotic fluid contaminates the sample.