RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Ozonated autohemotherapy (O3-AHT) has been used to effectively treat gout, but the underlying therapeutic mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, as an initial effort to understand the therapeutic mechanisms of O3-AHT, we aim to examine the effect of O3-AHT on serum inflammatory cytokine levels in gouty patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three groups of patients and healthy subjects were recruited, including the gouty (n=10), hyperuricemia (n=10), and healthy control (n=11) groups. Cytometric bead array was applied to examine 12 cytokines before (T0), during (T1), and after (T2) therapies. RESULTS: Three cytokines, IL-8, IL-12, and MCP-1, were detectable in all participants. Before O3-AHT, the average serum levels of IL-8 and MCP-1 were higher in the gout group than in the hyperuricemia and healthy control groups, confirming the inflammation status in gouty patients. After the 5th course of O3-AHT (T1), IL-8 level was significantly increased compared to that at T0. IL-12 level was also raised at T1, although the difference did not reach statistical significance. After completing the therapy, both IL-8 and IL-12 levels decreased to levels lower than those at T0. MCP-1 level remained essentially unchanged during and after treatment. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that O3-AHT induces a significant change in serum cytokine levels, suggesting that modulating the inflammatory process is one of the therapeutic mechanisms underlying O3-AHT. In addition, the sensitive response of serum IL-8 and IL-12 levels to O3-AHT suggests that these cytokines may be developed as biomarkers to evaluate the therapeutic effect of O3-AHT in gouty patients.
RESUMO
Gout is a common form of arthritis; however, there are currently no effective therapies available. Ozonated autohemotherapy (O3-AHT) is a controversial, but successful method of treatment for a number of diseases. The present study is the first pilot study investigating the application of O3-AHT in patients with hyperuricemia and gout. In total, 10 patients diagnosed with gout were recruited and subjected to O3-AHT. Self-reported pain visual analog scale (VAS) scores and creatinine clearance values were evaluated prior to (T0), during (after the fifth session of O3-AHT treatment; 1-4 weeks; T1) and following the treatment course (5-28 weeks; T2). At T1, the creatinine clearance rate of the patients significantly increased from 105.14±35.33 (T0) to 121.45±44.52 ml/min (t=2.165, P=0.062), while the pain VAS score decreased from 5.35±2.78 (T0) to 3.30±2.21 (t=2.004, P=0.076). However, at T2, the creatinine clearance rate decreased slightly to 111.15±36.52 ml/min, and no statistically significant difference was observed from the value at T0 (t=1.723, P=0.123). The pain VAS score further decreased to 2.30±2.66 (t=2.628, P=0.027). In conclusion, O3-AHT decreased the creatinine clearance rate and the pain VAS scores of patients with hyperuricemia and gout; thus, may be a potential effective therapeutic approach.