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.

An Overview of Ozone Therapy for Treating Foot Ulcers in Patients With Diabetes.

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is one of the most common and severe complications of diabetes mellitus, which is becoming increasingly prevalent throughout the world, with high mortality and morbidity. Because of the complex pathophysiological processes involved, DFU is difficult to treat effectively with traditional therapies. Ozone therapy, an emerging method, has been reported as potentially beneficial for closure of DFUs and may gradually move to the forefront of clinical practice. Possible mechanisms of action include antioxidant capacity, pathogen inactivation, vascular and endogenous growth factor modulation, and immune system activation. However, some researchers are skeptical about its safety, and clinical trials are lacking. This article reviews the current research and application of ozone therapy for DFUs.

Is low level laser therapy or ozone therapy more effective for bone healing? Understanding the mechanisms of HIF-1α, RANKL and OPG.

Periodontitis is a common chronic infection of dental tissues. Ozone therapy (OT) and low level laser therapy (LLLT) are useful treatments for periodontitis. We investigated the effects of OT and LLLT on periodontal disease-induced bone destruction in rats with experimentally induced periodontitis (EP). We used 30 male Wistar rats divided into three groups: control, OT and LLLT. EP was induced by placing a 3.0 silk suture around the cervix of the left mandibular first molar tooth. OT was performed using an ozone generator at 80% concentration. LLLT was applied using a diode laser. Both OT and LLLT were performed for two weeks at two day intervals. Histomorphometric and immunohistochemical analyses also were performed. Alveolar bone loss was significantly less in the LLLT group compared to the control group. The number of HIF-1α positive cells was significantly less in the LLLT group compared to the control group. We found significantly fewer RANKL-positive cells in the OT group compared to the control group. The number of osteoprotegerin (OPG) positive cells was significantly greater for the LLLT group than for the control group. Although both treatments produced positive effects, LLLT appears to be more effective for increasing alveolar bone formation.

Ozone Treatment Unveils the Veil of Candida parapsilosis Infection in the Knee Joint: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Candida infection is common, while Candida parapsilosis infection in the knee joint is rare. Local symptoms of Candida infections in the knee are atypical, rarely associated with systemic symptoms, and difficult to distinguish from other types of knee arthritis. We here report a special case of C. parapsilosis infections in the knee joint. A patient had previously undergone knee puncture in a private clinic for the treatment of osteoarthritis and developed a left knee joint infection with C. parapsilosis. However, the patient only showed more severe local knee symptoms, and there was no systemic manifestation associated with any Candida infection. Surprisingly, after receiving ozone lavage, the patient showed symptoms of a systemic infection such as fever and chills. There was no positive finding in the blood cultures. Finally, the synovial fluid cultures showed a C. parapsilosis infections. After antifungal treatment and another knee ozone therapy, the patient did not experience recurrence of the infections. It is suggested that in this special case, the strong sterilization with ozone caused the destruction of C. parapsilosis, leading to a transient systemic toxin reaction. In addition, we reviewed the 17 cases of C. parapsilosis infections that have been reported thus far.

[Granulocytes function in patients with chronic venous insufficiency followed by chronic wounds]. / Funktsional'naia aktivnost' kletok granulotsitarnogo zvena bol'nykh s dlitel'no nezazhivaiushchimi ranami na fone khronicheskoi venoznoi nedostatochnosti.

AIM: To analyze efficiency of ozone therapy, ultrasound and cryotherapy for infected and purulent wounds due to chronic venous insufficiency. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 127 patients with chronic venous insufficiency followed by chronic wounds. Efficacy of systemic and local ozone therapy was assessed. De Sole method was used to analyze chemiluminescent and spontaneous activity of neutrophils of peripheral blood. RESULTS: Advanced generation of active forms of oxygen was revealed in patients with chronic wounds and chronic venous insufficiency. Complex ozone therapy including intravenous administration of ozonized autologous blood, oxygen-ozone and ultrasonic exposure of the wound and cryogenic stimulation reduce painful period up to 3.1±0.6 days, accelerate epithelialization of the wound and normalize release of active forms of oxygen.

Evaluating clinical and laboratory effects of ozone in non-surgical periodontal treatment: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the clinical and biochemical (oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory mediators) effects of the gaseous ozone use accompanied by scaling and root planning (SRP) in periodontal treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 40 patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) randomly sorted into two groups of 20. The experimental group received SRP plus 3 watts gaseous ozone in two separate applications five days apart, whereas the control group received SRP plus placebo. Clinical periodontal parameters were assayed and saliva samples were taken before the initial and one month after the second treatment. Periodontal examination assessed plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth, and clinical attachment level (CAL). Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), nitric oxide (NO), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), myeloperoxidase (MPO), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) levels were evaluated from saliva samples. RESULTS: Changes following treatment in PI, GI, probing depth, and CAL scores were similar for both groups (p>0.05). Of note, TGF-ß levels were observed to be higher in the treatment group than in controls (p<0.05). Changes in 8-OHdG, TAS, TOS, NO, MPO, GSH and MDA levels, however, were not significantly different between groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that SRP plus gaseous ozone versus SRP alone does not correlate to a significant improvement in periodontal recovery.

Efficacy of combined ozone and platelet-rich-plasma treatment versus platelet-rich-plasma treatment alone in early stage knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease most often occurring in knee joints, leading to pain of varying severity and deterioration in daily living activities. OBJECTIVE: To compare efficacy of platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) versus PRP in combination with ozone gas injection in patients with early stage knee OA. METHODS: Retrospective data of patients who received PRP alone (n= 45) or combined treatment (PRP + ozone, n= 35) injection was analyzed. Patients were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores. RESULTS: In both PRP alone and combined treatment groups, post-treatment VAS and WOMAC scores at month 1, month 3, and month 6 showed a significant reduction compared to pre-treatment scores (p< 0.001). Physical function and total WOMAC scores as well as VAS scores at post-treatment month 3 were significantly lower in the combined treatment group compared to the PRP alone group. Moreover, in the combined treatment group, VAS scores on Day 10 and hyper-inflammation at the injection site was significantly lower than the PRP alone group. CONCLUSION: In general, similar efficacy was observed between treatment with PRP alone and treatment with PRP in combination with ozone. However, patients receiving ozone treatment are less likely to experience post-injection pain and are more likely to recover faster when compared to patients receiving PRP treatment alone.

Evaluating clinical and laboratory effects of ozone in non-surgical periodontal treatment: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Objective: This study aims to evaluate the clinical and biochemical (oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory mediators) effects of the gaseous ozone use accompanied by scaling and root planning (SRP) in periodontal treatment. Material and Methods: The study population consisted of 40 patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) randomly sorted into two groups of 20. The experimental group received SRP plus 3 watts gaseous ozone in two separate applications five days apart, whereas the control group received SRP plus placebo. Clinical periodontal parameters were assayed and saliva samples were taken before the initial and one month after the second treatment. Periodontal examination assessed plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth, and clinical attachment level (CAL). Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), nitric oxide (NO), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), myeloperoxidase (MPO), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) levels were evaluated from saliva samples. Results: Changes following treatment in PI, GI, probing depth, and CAL scores were similar for both groups (p>0.05). Of note, TGF-β levels were observed to be higher in the treatment group than in controls (p<0.05). Changes in 8-OHdG, TAS, TOS, NO, MPO, GSH and MDA levels, however, were not significantly different between groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that SRP plus gaseous ozone versus SRP alone does not correlate to a significant improvement in periodontal recovery.

Evaluation of Antibacterial Efficiency of Different Root Canal Disinfection Techniques in Primary Teeth.

BACKGROUND: A successful primary root canal treatment depends on effective shaping and cleaning the root canal system and finally filling it with a hermetic sealer. Clinically, roots of primary teeth are difficult to shape and the irrigation/disinfection protocol has great importance on prognosis. OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the antibacterial efficiency of Endosafe (Orangedental GmbH & Co. KG), photo-activated disinfection (PAD; Orangedental GmbH & Co. KG), diode laser (Epic 10; Biolase, Inc.), ozone (O3, Ozonytron; Biozonix, München, Germany), and sodium hypochloride applications in primary root canals that were infected with Enterococcus faecalis after standard mechanical instrumentation. METHODS: The study was conducted on roots of 100 human primary molar teeth, which were extracted due to excessive caries. The roots were divided in 5 groups with 15 roots in each root disinfection protocol. In addition, 15 samples and 10 samples served as positive and negative controls, respectively. The Shapiro-Wilk test, the Kruskal-Wallis test and then by post hoc group comparisons with the Bonferroni-adjusted Mann-Whitney U test (unpaired observations) was used. RESULTS: Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) exhibited the highest antibacterial effect (0 colony-forming units per mL). Diode laser irradiation was statistically more effective than the ozone, PAD, and Endosafe groups (p < 0.001). Endosafe, PAD, and ozone groups showed similar antibacterial effect (p > 0.05). Although not statistically significant, the Endosafe was more effective in reducing the bacterial count when compared with ozone and PAD. CONCLUSIONS: The five tested irrigation systems were shown to be effective in disinfection of the E. faecalis-contaminated primary root canals and best results were obtained with 2.5% NaOCl and diode laser.

[Effect of combined application of ozone therapy and gravitational therapy on the remote results of complex treatment of geriatric patients].

The article presents the remote results of treatment of an obliterating atherosclerosis of arteries of the lower extremities of the II stage at patients of advanced and senile age after the combined use of ozone therapy and gravitational therapy. We performed a prospective randomized study in three parallel groups (139 patients). The 1st group (n=57) received standard medical therapy in combination with ozone therapy; the group was divided into two subgroups: for patients of subgroup 1a (n=28) - intravenous ozonized physiological solution was performed, for patients of subgroup 1b (n=29) - major ozonized autohemotherapy. For patients of the 2nd group (n=62) - a comprehensive treatment, including gravitational therapy in addition to medical ozone, was carried out. In this group were also identified two subgroups: subgroup 2a (n=31) - patients received standard medical therapy in combination with ozonized physiological solution and gravitational therapy, subgroup 2b (n=31) - standard medical therapy in conjunction with major ozonized autohemotherapy and gravitational therapy. The 3rd control group (n=20) included patients, who received only standard medical therapy. Dynamics of changes of a stage of a disease and the number of surgeries in the remote period was estimated (up to 7 years). After 6 months of follow-on stages of the distribution of the disease patients significantly (p>0,05) did not differ from the initial amount. Analysis of survival and probable risk at 7 years of follow-Cox regression method revealed a maximum efficiency in the subgroup 2a where the risk of probability of surgeries and also increases in a stage of a disease effectively decreased.

Effect of high-frequency bio-oxidative ozone therapy for masticatory muscle pain: a double-blind randomised clinical trial.

To evaluate the effect of bio-oxidative ozone application at the points of greatest pain in patients with chronic masticatory muscle pain. A total number of 40 (40 women, with a mean age of 31·7) were selected after the diagnosis of myofacial pain dysfunction syndrome according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for temporomandibular disorder (RDC/TMD). The patients were randomly divided into two groups: patients received the ozone therapy at the point of greatest pain, ozone group (OG; n = 20); patients received the sham ozone therapy at the point of greatest pain, placebo group (PG; n = 20). Ozone and placebo were applied three times per week, for a total of six sessions. Mandibular movements were examined, masticator muscles tenderness were assessed and pressure pain threshold (PPT) values were obtained. Subjective pain levels were evaluated using visual analogue sale (VAS). These assessments were performed at baseline, 1 month and 3 months. Ozono therapy decreased pain intensity and increased PPT values significantly from baseline to 1 month and 3 months in OG compared with PG. PPTs of the temporal (OG = 24·85 ± 6·65, PG = 20·65 ± 5·43, P = 0.035) and masseter (OG = 19·03 ± 6·42, PG = 14·23 ± 2·95, P = 0.007) muscles at 3 months of control (T2) were significantly higher in the OG group. PPT value of the lateral pole was also significantly higher at T2 in the OG group (OG = 21·25 ± 8·43, PG = 15·35 ± 4·18, P = 0.012). Mandibular movements did not show significant differences between treatment groups except right lateral excursion values at T2 (OG = 8·90 ± 1·77, PG = 6·85 ± 2·41, P = 0.003); however, OG demonstrated significantly better results over time. Overall improvements in VAS scores from baseline to 3 months were OG 67·7%; PG 48·4%. Although ozone therapy can be accepted as an alternative treatment modality in the management of masticatory muscle pain, sham ozone therapy (placebo) showed significant improvements in the tested parameters.

Efficiency of Ozone Therapy in a Rat Model of Experimental Uveitis.

PURPOSE: To investigate efficiency of ozone therapy in uveitis. METHODS: A total of 24 albino Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 6); (a) control group; (b) sham group; (c) infliximab treatment group; (d) ozone therapy group. Vitreous haze scores of all groups were evaluated. Vitreous cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6) measured by ELISA and eyes were enucleated for histopathologic examination. RESULTS: According to vitreous haze scores, there was statistically significant inflammation in Group (b) compared with Group (a), and there was less inflammation in infliximab and ozone groups compared with Group (b) (p < 0.05). Cytokine levels in infliximab and ozone groups were lower but not statistically significant when compared with Group (b) (p > 0.05). There was significantly less inflammation in histopathologic examination in treatment groups when compared with the sham group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical and histopathologic examination results indicate that systemic application of ozone may be efficient in the treatment of uveitis.

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.

[The results of combined surgical treatment of thromboangiitis obliterans and critical lower limb ischemia using prolonged epidural analgesia and autohemotherapy with ozone]. / Rezul'taty kombinirovannogo khirurgicheskogo lecheniya bol'nykh obliteriruyushchim trombangiitom i kriticheskoi ishemiei nizhnikh konechnostei.

AIM: to evaluate the results of combined treatment of thromboangiitis obliterans with severe lower limb ischemia using prolonged epidural anaesthesia and autohemotherapy with ozone. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It was analyzed treatment of 125 patients with thromboangiitis obliterans and severe lower limb ischemia. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Control group consisted of 60 patients who underwent conventional perioperative therapy with anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, dextrans, metabolic drugs, glucocorticoids, angioprotectors, narcotic and non-narcotic analgesics. Study group included 65 patients in whom prolonged epidural anaesthesia and autohemotherapy with ozone was applied additionally. RESULTS: In early postoperative period (up to 30 days) the incidence of secondary lower leg amputation was 10% and 1.5% in both groups respectively (p<0.05). Primary healing after limited foot amputation was achieved in 63.6% and 83.3% in control and stugy groups respectively (p<0.05). Ulcerative defect recovery was observed in 62.2% and 76.2% in both groups respectively (p<0.01). Satisfactory result of treatment was obtained in 61.7% and 80.0% of patients. CONCLUSION: Restoration of magistral and collateral blood flow combined with prolonged epidural anaesthesia and autohemotherapy with ozone improves surgical outcomes and rehabilitation of patients with thromboangiitis obliterans and severe lower limb ischemia.

[Use of drug-free methods of treatment in comprehensive therapy of patients with stage II chronic lower limb ischaemia].

Analysed herein are the results of treating a total of 139 patients presenting with stage II chronic lower limb ischaemia. The patients were subdivided into three groups, depending on the variant of treatment performed. Group One patients (n=57) received standard conservative therapy combined with ozone therapy, with the Group being further subdivided into two subgroups: patients of subgroup 1a (n=28) were subjected to intravenous administration of ozonated physiological solution (OPS), subgroup 1b patients (n=29) were given big autohemoozonetherapy (BAT). Group Two patients (n=62) underwent complex treatment including beside medical ozone gravitation therapy (GT). Group Two patients were also subdivided into two subgroups: subgroup 2a patients (n=31) received standard conservative therapy combined with OPS and GT, subgroup 2b patients (n=31) received standard conservative therapy in combination with BAT and GT. Group Three (Control Group) was composed of 20 patients receiving standard conservative therapy alone. The highest efficacy was observed in the subgroup of patients receiving OPS and GT, with the patients of this subgroup showing a statistically significant increase in the pain-free walking distance by 116.5% and in the ankle-brachial index by 49.2%, also demonstrating the most pronounced positive dynamics of lipid metabolism parameters: a decrease in total cholesterol by 21.3%, low density lipoproteins by 25.4%, very low density lipoproteins by 24.2% and triglycerides by 18.5%. Besides, a tendency was observed towards normalization of the haemostasis system indices: fibrinogen decreased by 21.8%, prothrombin index by 13%, fibrin monomer complexes retraction by 18.2%, and the clotting time increased by 20.7%. Hence, combined use of ozonated physiological solution and gravitation therapy in treatment of patients with stage II chronic lower limb ischaemia promotes a considerable increase in the pain-free walking distance and ankle-brachial index, as well as contributes to correction of lipid metabolic disorders and haemocoagulation.

Medical ozone treatment ameliorates the acute distal colitis in rat.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of medical ozone treatment on the experimental acute distal colitis in rats. METHODS: Eighteen rats were randomly distributed into three equal groups; control, acute distal colitis (ADC) without and with medical ozone treatment. Rats in the control group were taken saline. ADC was performed by rectal way with 4% acetic acid in groups 2 and 3, and the group 3 was treated with medical ozone for three weeks both rectally and intraperitoneally. At the twenty second day the distal colons samples were obtained for malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase, blood samples were obtained to measure the levels of TNF-α and IL-1ß levels. Histolopatological examination was evaluated with Ki-67, IL-1ß and VEGF immunostaining densities. RESULTS: There was significant increase in tissue MDA, MPO activity, TNF-α and IL-1ß after ozone administration. There was also a significant difference at immunostaining densities of histopathological examination. CONCLUSIONS: Medical ozone treatment ameliorated the experimental acute distal colitis induced by acetic acid in rats. Its possible effect is by means of decreasing inflammation, edema, and affecting the proliferation and the vascularization.

Is hyperbaric oxygen or ozone effective in experimental endocarditis?

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis, a disease with high mortality and morbidity, is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus; mortality and morbidity further increase in the presence of methicillin-resistant strains of S. aureus. Linezolid is the first of the oxazolidinones, a new antibiotic group that has been approved for the treatment of infections caused by gram-positive cocci. Linezolid reduces the quantity of microorganisms in vegetation to some extent; in addition, the use of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and ozone (O3) therapies is likely to improve targeted antibacterial effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-six adult male Wistar rats weighing 300-350 g were used. The subjects were divided into groups as follows: Group 1 (n = 8): control group that was not inoculated with microorganisms and was untreated; Group 2 (n = 8): control group that was inoculated with microorganisms but was untreated; Group 3 (n = 8): linezolid treatment group; Group 4 (n = 8): O3 therapy group; Group 5 (n = 8): HBO therapy group; Group 6 (n = 8): linezolid + O3 therapy group; Group 7 (n = 8): linezolid + HBO therapy group. RESULTS: In terms of reducing the number of colonies in the aortic valve, linezolid + HBO therapy was found to be the most effective treatment. Then, respectively linezolid + O3, linezolid, HBO, and O3 were found to be effective. CONCLUSIONS: We found that linezolid significantly reduced the number of bacteria in the vegetation in the experimental endocarditis model, and HBO therapy increases the effectiveness of linezolid and makes this better than O3.

Medical ozone treatment ameliorates the acute distal colitis in rat

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of medical ozone treatment on the experimental acute distal colitis in rats. METHODS: Eighteen rats were randomly distributed into three equal groups; control, acute distal colitis (ADC) without and with medical ozone treatment. Rats in the control group were taken saline. ADC was performed by rectal way with 4% acetic acid in groups 2 and 3, and the group 3 was treated with medical ozone for three weeks both rectally and intraperitoneally. At the twenty second day the distal colons samples were obtained for malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase, blood samples were obtained to measure the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β levels. Histolopatological examination was evaluated with Ki-67, IL-1β and VEGF immunostaining densities. RESULTS: There was significant increase in tissue MDA, MPO activity, TNF-α and IL-1β after ozone administration. There was also a significant difference at immunostaining densities of histopathological examination. CONCLUSIONS: Medical ozone treatment ameliorated the experimental acute distal colitis induced by acetic acid in rats. Its possible effect is by means of decreasing inflammation, edema, and affecting the proliferation and the vascularization.

The Role of Ozone Therapy in Hepatic Fibrosis due to Biliary Tract Obstruction.

PURPOSES: In this experimental study, we investigated the role of ozone therapy in hepatic fibrosis caused by biliary obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 21 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided equally into three groups. In the control group, only laparotomy was performed and intraperitoneal cavity is washed with 1 mL of saline. In the sham group (SG), common bile duct is binded with laparotomy and no treatment is given afterward. In the experimental group (EG) after the binding of common bile duct with laparotomy, 1 mg/kg dose and 50 mg/mL concentration of ozone were applied rectally for 21 days. Hepatic tissue sample and intracardiac blood samples were collected from all animals at postoperative 21st day with relaparatomy. RESULTS: When we compared the experiment to SG, we detected a decrease in aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphate (ALP), total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin levels in the EG, however, only the decrease in total bilirubin levels were statistically significant (p = 0.025). Histopathological examination of livers of rats in the EG showed lower level of hepatic fibrosis and inflammation. In the SG, incomplete cirrhosis was detected in 57.1% of the rats, whereas in the EG, no cirrhosis was detected. Immunohistochemically, periportal inflammation was 100% in the SG, whereas it was seen (3/7) 42.9% in the EG. A significant decrease in positive α-smooth muscle actin reaction was observed in ozone-treated group compared with SG. CONCLUSION: We suggest that ozone can decrease the hepatic destruction levels in experimental model of biliary obstruction.