Comparison of corticosteroid injection and ozone injection for relief of pain in chronic lateral epicondylitis.

To evaluate and compare the therapeutic effects of corticosteroid and ozone injections in the alleviation of pain associated with chronic lateral epicondylitis . Data was collected from the medical records of 80 patients (56 women, 24 men ; average age : 45.8±7.5). Corticosteroid injection was performed once a week for three times, and ozone was injected 6-8 times at 3 day intervals. No additional analgesics were given. Pain assessment was made by means of Verhaar scores before and after the first injection, on 3rd, 6th and 9th months. The duration of pain was 24.4±12.5 months and the right side was more commonly affected (47, 58.8% vs. 33, 41.2%). Corticosteroid and ozone groups were similar with respect to age (p=0.45), gender distribution (p=0.43) and side of epicondylitis (p=0.88). Pain scores at rest, at compression and on activity were not different in two groups before and following injection. Notably, ozone group displayed better scores compared to corticosteroid in terms of pain on 3rd, 6th and 9th months after injection (p<0.001 for all). Our results demonstrated that ozone injection can be an effective therapeutic option for CLE patients who are refractory to conservative treatment.

The beneficial effects of ozone therapy in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to determine the therapeutic effects of medical ozone therapy on acute acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity which were not clearly demonstrated in prior studies. METHOD: Twenty-four mice were randomly assigned into three equal groups: Group 1 (control), Group 2 (APAP) and Group 3 (APAP +ozone). Hepatotoxicity was induced by APAP given as a single dose of 300mg/kg intraperitoneally in Groups 2 and 3. Additionally, Group 3 received 20mcg/0.5mL ozone intraperitoneal twice a day for the remaining of the study. Other groups received saline injections. On the fourth day of the study, biochemical variables (AST, ALT, ALP) and liver histopathology was assessed. RESULTS: Intraperitoneal administration of a single dose of APAP induced hepatocellular damage that was shown by both liver enzymes and histopathological changes (p<0.001). AST, ALT, ALP levels were elevated in both groups 2 and 3 and the difference from group 1 was statistically significant (p<0.01).Mean ALT and AST levels of group 2 were statistically significantly higher versus group 3 (p<0.01). In histopathological examinations; necrosis and inflammation were more prominent in Group 2 compared to Group 3 (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Ozone showed beneficial effects on APAP hepatotoxicity at a statistically significant level. It is known that ozone has therapeutic effects in various diseases owing to its antioxidant effects. The present study suggests that ozone may be utilized as a routine supplementary therapy in acute APAP hepatotoxicity.

Effect of ozone and methylprednisolone treatment following crush type sciatic nerve injury.

PURPOSE:: To assess and compare the histopathological effects of ozone therapy and/or methylprednisolone (MPS) treatment on regeneration after crush type sciatic nerve injury. METHODS:: Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly allocated into four groups. Four groups received the following regimens intraperitoneally every day for 14 days after formation of crush type injury on sciatic nerve: Group I: ozone (20mcg/ml); Group II: methylprednisolone (2mg/kg); Group III: ozone (20 mcg/ml) and methylprednisolone (2mg/kg); Group IV: isotonic saline (0.9%). The histomorphological evaluation was made after biopsies were obtained from the sites of injury. RESULTS:: Significant differences were noted between groups in terms of degeneration (p=0.019), nerve sheath cell atrophy (p=0.012), intraneural inflammatory cellular infiltration (p=0.002), perineural granulation tissue formation (p=0.019), perineural vascular proliferation (p=0.004), perineural inflammatory cellular infiltration (p<0.001) and inflammation in peripheral tissue (p=0.006). Degeneration was remarkably low in Group III, while no change in nerve sheath cell was noted in Group II. CONCLUSION:: The combined use of methylprednisolone and ozone treatment can have beneficial effects for regeneration after crush type nerve injury.

Effect of ozone and methylprednisolone treatment following crush type sciatic nerve injury

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To assess and compare the histopathological effects of ozone therapy and/or methylprednisolone (MPS) treatment on regeneration after crush type sciatic nerve injury. METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly allocated into four groups. Four groups received the following regimens intraperitoneally every day for 14 days after formation of crush type injury on sciatic nerve: Group I: ozone (20mcg/ml); Group II: methylprednisolone (2mg/kg); Group III: ozone (20 mcg/ml) and methylprednisolone (2mg/kg); Group IV: isotonic saline (0.9%). The histomorphological evaluation was made after biopsies were obtained from the sites of injury. RESULTS: Significant differences were noted between groups in terms of degeneration (p=0.019), nerve sheath cell atrophy (p=0.012), intraneural inflammatory cellular infiltration (p=0.002), perineural granulation tissue formation (p=0.019), perineural vascular proliferation (p=0.004), perineural inflammatory cellular infiltration (p<0.001) and inflammation in peripheral tissue (p=0.006). Degeneration was remarkably low in Group III, while no change in nerve sheath cell was noted in Group II. CONCLUSION: The combined use of methylprednisolone and ozone treatment can have beneficial effects for regeneration after crush type nerve injury.