Cytokine profile and antioxidants status in the moderate and severe COVID-19 patients: a trial of ozone therapy impact as a medicinal supplement.

BACKGROUND: Complementary ozone therapy has been identified as a revolutionary medical technique for a number of goals and ailments. At the present, it has been shown that ozone has medicinal qualities, such as antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties. Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is quickly spread over the globe. Cytokine storms and oxidative stress seem to play a substantial role in the most of acute attacks of the disease. The aim of this research was to assess the therapeutic advantages of complementary ozone therapy on the cytokine profile and antioxidant status in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: The statistical sample of this study included two hundred patients with COVID-19. One hundred COVID-19 patients (treatment group) received 240 ml of the patient's blood and an equal volume of O2/O3 gas at a concentration of 35-50 µg/ml daily, which gradually increased in concentration, and were kept for 5-10 days and one hundred patients (control group) received standard treatment. The secretion levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-10 cytokines, SOD, CAT and GPx were compared between control patients (standard treatment) and standard treatment plus intervention (ozone) before and after treatment. RESULTS: The findings indicated a significant decrease in the level of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1ß in group receiving complementary ozone therapy in compared with control group. Furthermore, a significant increase was found in the level of IL-10 cytokine. Moreover, SOD, CAT and GPx levels revealed a significant increase in complementary ozone therapy group compared to control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that complementary ozone therapy can be used as a medicinal complementary therapy to reduce and control inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress status in patients with COVID-19 as revealed its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Ozone therapy for the treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia: A scoping review.

Severe forms of COVID-19 can evolve into pneumonia, featured by acute respiratory failure due to acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In viral diseases, the replication of viruses is seemingly stimulated by an imbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant activity as well as by the deprivation of antioxidant mechanisms. In COVID-19 pneumonia, oxidative stress also appears to be highly detrimental to lung tissues. Although inhaling ozone (O3) gas has been shown to be toxic to the lungs, recent evidence suggests that its administration via appropriate routes and at small doses can paradoxically induce an adaptive reaction capable of decreasing the endogenous oxidative stress. Ozone therapy is recommended to counter the disruptive effects of severe COVID-19 on lung tissues, especially if administered in early stages of the disease, thereby preventing the progression to ARDS.

Comparison of the Vitamin D Status of Children Younger and Older Than 2 Years in Tehran: Are Supplements Really Necessary?

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D is a vital lipid-soluble vitamin in the body, helping the growth and development of bones. Vitamin D deficiency in children has several adverse effects. The most important preventative factor is determining the deficiency at an early stage and prescribing vitamin D-containing supplements. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the vitamin D status of children younger and older than 2 years and determine the utility of prescribing vitamin D supplements. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred healthy children who attended the pediatric clinic for routine assessments were enrolled in this study. Their parents were asked to complete a questionnaire, which included questions about demographics, nutrition, and supplements. Blood levels of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus were then measured. RESULTS: The final study consisted of 286 children, 140 males and 146 females, with a mean age of 4.46 ± 2.82 yr. Of these, 218 (76.22%) children, with a mean age of 5.09 ± 2.82 yr, had vitamin D deficiency, and 76 children (23.78%), with a mean age of 2.58 ± 1.88 yr, had normal vitamin D levels (P = 0.001). The mean level of vitamin D was 29.71 ± 14.42 ng/mL in 88 (30.8%) patients up to 2 years and 17.11 ± 14.02 ng/mL in 198 (69.2%) patients older than 2 years (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The vitamin D levels of children aged more than 2 years are lower than those of children aged less than 2 years. Thus, prescribing vitamin D-containing supplements in children older than 2 years may be beneficial.

Thalassemia in Iran: epidemiology, prevention, and management.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and geographic distribution of thalassemia and to evaluate the success of the thalassemia prevention and treatment programs in Iran. METHODS: Data were obtained from the National Thalassemia Registry of Iran, Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization, genetic laboratories involved in prenatal diagnosis, related pharmaceutical companies, and centers performing bone marrow transplantation for thalassemic patients. RESULTS: A total of 13,879 living patients have been registered, mostly from the northern and southern parts of Iran with the median age of 15 years. Twenty-three percent of patients were older than 20 years. The number of newly diagnosed cases has been decreased considerably after the start of the prevention program. Since the introduction of prenatal diagnosis, 2819 couples (2549 fetuses) have been tested, with only 6 false results. Elective abortion was not performed in 10 affected fetuses. Most common mutations detected were IVS II-1 and IVS I-5. In 2003, approximately 25% of the national blood products and 6 million vials of desferal were used for thalassemic patients. Overall, 340 patients have received allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, of those 46 patients deceased. Bloodborne infections have also been decreased significantly owing to the national screening of blood products for bloodborne viral infections. DISCUSSION: Owing to the national prevention program and provided special care, the age distribution of thalassemic patients in Iran is getting adapted to a full prevention and treatment program and life expectancy of these patients has been increased considerably. This shift in the age distribution of thalassemia, a traditionally considered pediatric disease, will face us with new challenges and the health care system should be prepared for this new face of thalassemia.

An update on the prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and neonatal jaundice in Tehran neonates.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to screen newborns in Tehran for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in relation to hyperbilirubinemia and jaundice. DESIGN AND METHODS: We performed quantitative and qualitative red blood cell (RBC) G6PD assays in cord blood of 2000 male and female at-term neonates. Observations for jaundice and bilirubin determination were made in G6PD-deficient and normal groups. Those with severe jaundice were treated with phototherapy or exchange transfusion. RESULTS: Our results showed that 2.1% (3.6% of males and 0.6% of females) was G6PD-deficient. Those with severe jaundice and hyperbilirubinemia (160 normal and 17 G6PD-deficient) were hospitalized and treated with phototherapy or exchange transfusion. Bilirubin levels in G6PD-deficient neonates were somewhat higher compared to G6PD-normal babies (18.8 +/- 2.4 mg/dl [321.5 +/- 41 micromol/l] vs. 15.7 +/- 3.2 mg/dl [268.5 +/- 54.7 micromol/l]; P < 0.05). G6PD activity was significantly lower in G6PD-deficient group than in the normal group (2.1 +/- 0.7 vs. 12.5 +/- 5.0 U/g Hb; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study shows that the incidence of G6PD deficiency in newborns of Tehran is 2.1%, which is relatively high, and also hyperbilirubinemia and jaundice are approximately 3-fold higher in G6PD-deficient group than in the G6PD-normal group (51% vs. 16%). This emphasizes the necessity of neonatal screening on cord blood samples of both sexes for G6PD deficiency and the need to watch closely for development of hyperbilirubinemia.