Clinical utility of ozone therapy for musculoskeletal disorders

Adjunct treatment with ozone to enhance therapy of knee osteoarthritis: preliminary results

Knee osteoarthritis (knee OA), commonly known as gonarthrosis, is a chronic pathology involving knee at the joint level causing progressive pain, stiffness and difficulty in ambulation and leg movements. So far in situ infiltration therapies such as platelet rich plasma, conditioned autologous serum or hyaluronic acid, provided some encouraging though limited hopes for a routinely recommended therapy for knee OA. Recent clinical successful observations about the use of whole autologous blood ozonated with a calibrated mixture of oxygen and ozone, has promoted the present research study, in order to treat knee OA. A number of 250 patients suffering with knee OA of different Ahlback scores, were treated with infiltration of ozonated blood and evaluated for their WOMAC and Lequesne indexes, pre- and post-treatment, to evaluate pain, disability and stiffness. Patients recovered about 50% of their health status, reducing pain, stiffness and disability by only 5 sessions, one/week, with 20 μg/ml O3 ozonated autologous blood knee infiltrations. The evidence asks for further supporting results yet encourages our efforts to go ahead in this research issue. Key Points •The oxygen-ozone therapy via ozonated blood infiltration was used in this study. •Ozone reduced pain, disability, and stiffness in both female and male patients. •The treatment with ozone improved WOMAC both in type I and type II Ahlback knee OA. •The oxygen-ozone therapy via ozonated blood ameliorated Lequesne functional index.

Ozone infiltration as an adjunctive treatment to piezoelectric surgery in the management of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws: case series of 29 patients

PURPOSE

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws has been reported to be associated with bisphosphonate and RANKL inhibitor medications. This prospective clinical study aimed to assess the outcomes of pre-operative ozone infiltration therapy in patients with established MRONJ.

METHODS

The treatment protocol for ozone applications were designed as 20 applications ozone infiltration therapy followed by surgical interventions of necrotic tissue debridement using piezoelectric surgery instruments. The evaluation of the results based on the clinical and radiologic specifications considering the necrotic lesion reduction and healing. The study included 31 lesions in 29 patients. The mean follow-up was 23.6 months.

RESULTS

25 lesions out of 31 healed totally without any remissions. The outcomes were not affected by any variables such as gender, age, type of pharmacological treatment, lesion location, and MRONJ staging. The statistically significant results were found among the clinical condition of the patients (p = 0.01) and administration route of medications (p = 0.004). Healing was significantly less in patients that received intra-vascular administrations. Clinical conditions of the patients were divided as osteoporosis, oncologic, and arthritis. Significantly better results were obtained in osteoporosis patients. 38% of the population experienced spontaneous sequestration with signs of improvements and the surgical interventions were canceled. According to the results, total healing of MRONJ lesions was seen in 79% patients (81% lesions).

CONCLUSION

Ozone therapy and debridement with Piezoelectric surgery can be considered as a safe and beneficial adjunctive treatment alternative for osteonecrosis lesions in cases of established MRONJ.

Ozone therapy (O2-O3) alleviates the progression of early intervertebral disc degeneration via the inhibition of oxidative stress and the interception of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) stands for the most frequent cause of low back pain. Finding a cure for this disease is an important challenge as current conservative treatments and surgical interventions fail to bring a solution to this disease. Ozone therapy (O2-O3) has yielded outstanding outcomes in intervertebral disc pathology. The ozone's efficacy in the treatment of IDD remains unconfirmed. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of intradiscal ozone injection on IDD induced in a rat. Effects of ozone therapy on the viability of nucleus pulposus cells were evaluated by CCK-8 assays. Macrophage immunoreactivity was detected by immunohistochemical, the expression of collagen type II was evaluated by western blot, and measurement of oxidative stress parameters was realized. Molecular docking studies were carried out in order to predict the interaction formed between O3 and the target enzymes, on the one hand, O3 with PI3K and, on the other hand, O3 with COX-2. IRM, X-ray, hematoxylin-eosin, and bleu alcian staining were realized to assess the therapeutic impacts of ozone in the puncture-induced rat model of IDD. In vivo, O3 ameliorated the IDD in the early stage of this disease. It was also displayed in molecular docking that O3 might bind to PI3K to suppress the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway. This study's results show that the O3 should be administered at the low grade of IDD and at an early stage because it cannot restore the advanced inflammatory alteration of the IVD. Our results corroborated also that O3 inhibits the progression of IDD via the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway, which supports O3 as an effective therapeutic option for treating IDD.

The Oxygen-Ozone Adjunct Medical Treatment According to the Protocols from the Italian Scientific Society of Oxygen-Ozone Therapy: How Ozone Applications in the Blood Can Influence Clinical Therapy Success via the Modulation of Cell Biology and Immunity

BACKGROUND

Ozone is an allotrope of oxygen whose use in medicine has rapidly grown in recent years. Ozonated blood allows for the use of ozone in a safe modality, as plasma and blood cells are endowed with an antioxidant system able to quench ozone's pro-oxidant property and to elicit the Nrf2/Kwap1/ARE pathway.

METHODS

We present two clinical studies, a case-series (six patients) observational study adopting ozone as a major autohemotherapy and topical ozone to address infected post-surgical wounds with multi-drug resistant bacteria and an observational study (250 patients) using ozonated blood for treating knee osteoarthritis.

RESULTS

Ozonated blood via major autohemotherapy reduced the extent of infections in wounds, reduced the inflammatory biomarkers by more than 75% and improved patients' QoL, whereas ozonated blood via minor autohemotherapy improved significantly (p < 0.001) WOMAC and Lequesne's parameters in knee osteoarthritis.

CONCLUSIONS

The models described, i.e., ozone autohemotherapy in wound antimicrobial treatment and ozonated blood in knee osteoarthrosis, following our protocols, share the outstanding ability of ozone to modulate the innate immune response and address bacterial clearance as well as inflammation and pain.

Comparison of the efficacy of oxygen-ozone and lidocaine injections in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome: A randomized clinical trial

Objectives

This study aims to compare effectiveness of oxygen-ozone injection versus lidocaine injection on the trigger point in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS).

Patients and methods

Between April 2021 and December 2021, a total of 46 patients with MPS (8 males, 38 females; mean age: 44.7±10.4 years; range, 25 to 65 years) were included. The patients were randomized to either ozone injection (n=23) or lidocaine injection (n=23) groups. All injections were administered once a week for three consecutive weeks. The primary outcome measure was the pain severity assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Secondary outcome measures were cervical lateral flexion range of motion (ROM), pain score (PS), and Neck Disability Index (NDI). The measurements were performed before the treatment, and at four and 12 weeks after treatment.

Results

There was a significant effect of time for VAS, PS, and NDI scores in both groups. Compared to baseline versus Weeks 4 and 12, the VAS, PS, and NDI scores significantly decreased over time in both groups (p<0.001 for all). A significant group X time interaction was identified regarding the VAS scores. The mean difference in the VAS scores over time was significantly higher in the lidocaine group compared to the oxygen-ozone group (p=0.028).

Conclusion

Oxygen-ozone and lidocaine injections of the trigger point can effectively improve pain and functional status. However, lidocaine injection appears to be superior in reducing pain compared to oxygen-ozone injection, but is not superior in improving function and PS.

Ozone Therapy in Medicine and Dentistry: A Review of the Literature

Ozone has been successfully used in medicine for over 100 years due to its microbiological qualities. Its powerful oxidation impact, which results in the production of free radicals, and its ability to cause the direct death of nearly all microorganisms is the basis for its bactericide, virucide, and fungicide properties. Ozone also has a medicinal impact that speeds up blood flow and aids wound healing. Ozone may be applied as a gas or dissolved in water for medical purposes. Despite the benefits of using ozone therapeutically, concerns about its use in dentistry still exist. We aimed to provide a summary of the current uses of ozone in medicine and dentistry. An electronic search was performed for all English scientific papers published between 2012 and 2023 using PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar search engines. Ozone, clinical applications, medicine, and dentistry were the search terms used. Seventy full-text articles describing the use of ozone therapy in medicine and dentistry were included in the present review. Ozone has shown several beneficial effects in the medical field. However, despite the encouraging in vitro evidence, the clinical use of ozone in dentistry has not yet been demonstrated as highly effective.

Medical ozone on hamstring injury in a professional athlete assessed by thermography: a clinical case report

Injuries associated with the hamstring muscles in the running athlete are increasingly investigated due to the economic and functional consequences associated with them. Although hardly used in the treatment of sports injuries, medical ozone is effective and very well tolerated in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain, it was decided to add a series of medical ozone infiltrations to the treatment. The evolution of the case was recorded by medical thermography, in addition to measuring pain intensity (visual analog scale) and functional capacity (toe touch test). Pain intensity (visual analog scale) decreased from seven at baseline to two at the end of treatment (after two ozone infiltrations, one weekly). Mobility of the damaged area (toe touch test) improved from a distance of 8 cm at baseline to 0 cm at the end of treatment. Regarding medical thermography, after the first and second infiltration of ozone, the temperature rose to a significant increase in perfusion from baseline from 31.2 to 31.8 °C and from 31.2 to 32 °C, respectively. These results suggest the possible interest of medical ozone as an adjuvant treatment for the recovery of sports tendinopathies and encourage us to carry out further studies.

Effects of adjuvant application of corticosteroid and ozone after ultrasound-guided puncture and lavage for the treatment of rotator cuff calcific tendinitis: study protocol for a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Steroid injection after percutaneous irrigation of calcific deposits is a common method for the treatment of rotator cuff calcific tendinitis (RCCT). However, steroids may prevent calcification resorption and cause potentially irreversible damage to tendons. Recent studies have confirmed the positive effects of ozone injection in shoulder tendinopathies, but no RCCTs have been reported. Thus, our study aims to evaluate the non-inferiority of ozone versus steroid injection.

METHODS

This is a prospective, randomized, parallel control and non-inferiority trial. A total of 100 patients with unilateral symptomatic RCCT will be enrolled and randomized in a 1:1 ratio to two groups: ultrasound-guided injection with ozone or corticosteroid. The primary outcome is the numeric rating scale for pain (NRS) at 1 week and 3 months following the procedure. Secondary outcomes include a multi-dimensional evaluation of shoulder disability and quality of life improvement, the degree of calcification absorption after treatment, and the number of multiple treatments.

DISCUSSION

The results of this study will provide short-term and long-term evidence for the effectiveness of ozone treatment in RCCT in relieving pain or improving shoulder function.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2200063469. Registered on 7 September 2022.

Ozone Therapy versus Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Pain Relief in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: Preliminary Findings on Molecular and Clinical Outcomes from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Ozone therapy (OT) is used for the treatment of multiple musculoskeletal disorders. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in its use for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this double-blind randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the efficacy of OT compared with hyaluronic acid (HA) injections for pain relief in patients with knee OA. Patients with knee OA for at least three months were included and randomly assigned to receive three intra-articular injections of ozone or HA (once a week). Patients were assessed at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months after the injections for pain, stiffness, and function using the WOMAC LK 3.1, the NRS, and the KOOS questionnaire. Out of 55 patients assessed for eligibility, 52 participants were admitted to the study and randomly assigned into the 2 groups of treatment. During the study, eight patients dropped out. Thus, a total of 44 patients, reached the endpoint of the study at 6 months. Both Group A and B consisted of 22 patients. At 1-month follow-up after injections, both treatment groups improved statistically significantly from baseline in all outcomes measured. At 3 months, improvements remained similarly consistent for Group A and Group B. At 6-month follow-up, the outcomes were comparable between the 2 groups, showing only a worsening trend in pain. No significant differences were found between the two groups in pain scores. Both therapies have proven to be safe, with the few recorded adverse events being mild and self-limiting. OT has demonstrated similar results to HA injections, proving to be a safe approach with significant effects on pain control in patients affected by knee OA. Due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, ozone might be considered as a potential treatment for OA.

Efficacy of ultrasound guided caudal epidural steroid injection with or without ozone in patients with lumbosacral canal stenosis; a randomized clinical controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Lumbosacral canal stenosis is known as the most common cause of back surgery with several complications. Selecting a minimally invasive treatment with high efficacy in such patients is necessary. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of ozone therapy in combination with caudal epidural steroid in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

METHODS

A double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 50 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis allocated into two study groups. Under ultrasound guidance, the first group received 80 mg of triamcinolone hexavalent with 4 mL of Marcaine 0.5% and 6 mL of distilled water to the caudal epidural space. The second group received an injection similar to the first group, combined with 10 mL of ozone (O2-O3) gas at a concentration of 10 µg/cc. The patients were followed at baseline, one, and six months after injection with clinical outcomes measures using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Walking Distance (WD) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).

RESULTS

The mean age of subjects, 30 males (60%) and 20 females (40%), was reported as 64.51 ± 7.19 years old. Reduction of pain intensity based on VAS score was statistically significant in both groups at follow-up periods (P < 0.001). The VAS changes in the first month and sixth months showed no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.28 and P = 0.33, respectively). The improvement in disability index (ODI) in both types of treatment during follow-up was significant (P < 0.0001), and there was no difference between the two treatment groups in one month and six months (P = 0.48 and P = 0.88, respectively). As for walking distance, the improvement process with both types of treatment during follow-up periods was significant (P < 0.001). However, after one and six months of treatment, the rate of improvement in patients' walking distance in the caudal epidural steroid injection plus ozone group was significantly higher than in the epidural steroid group (p = 0.026 and p = 0.017, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the results of VAS and ODI outcomes showed that caudal epidural steroid injection combined with ozone has no advantage over caudal epidural steroid injection alone. Interestingly, our results demonstrated that the group receiving caudal epidural steroid injection plus ozone scored significantly higher on the walking distance index than the group receiving caudal epidural steroid alone.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

IRCT IRCT20090704002117N2 (registration date: 07/08/2019).

Ozone in the adjunct medical treatment. The round personality of a molecule with hormetic properties

Ozone, an allotrope of oxygen, is enjoying an increasing interest in the setting and management of the medical adjunct treatment, which is called, maybe too simplistically, "ozone therapy". Ozone is not a medicine, so the word therapy does not properly fit this gaseous molecule. Like many natural compounds, for example plant flavonoids, even ozone interacts with aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhRs) and, at low doses, it works according to the paradoxical mechanism of hormesis, involving mitochondria (mitohormesis). Ozone, in the hormetic range, exerts cell protective functions via the Nrf2-mediated activation of the anti-oxidant system, then leading to anti-inflammatory effects, also via the triggering of low doses of 4-HNE. Moreover, its interaction with plasma and lipids forms reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipoperoxides (LPOs), generally called ozonides, which are enabled to rule the major molecular actions of ozone in the cell. Ozone behaves as a bioregulator, by activating a wide population of reactive intermediates, which usually target mitochondria and their turnover/biogenesis, often leading to a pleiotropic spectrum of actions and behaving as a tuner of the fundamental mechanisms of survival in the cell. In this sense, ozone can be considered a novelty in the medical sciences and in the clinical approach to pharmacology and medical therapy, due to its ability to target complex regulatory systems and not simple receptors.

Oxygen-Ozone Therapy in Cervicobrachial Pain: A Real-Life Experience

This prospective, open-label clinical study was carried out to evaluate both the efficacy and safety of intramuscular paravertebral injections of an oxygen−ozone (O2−O3) mixture in patients with cervicobrachial pain. We enrolled 540 subjects affected by cervicobrachial pain referred to the Ozone Therapy Ambulatory at the Mater Domini Hospital of Catanzaro (Italy) and to the Center of Pain in Taurianova (Reggio Calabria, Italy). All the subjects (n = 540) completed the treatment and the follow-up visits. The subjects received a mean of 11 cervical intramuscular treatments with an O2−O3 mixture (5 mL) with an O3 concentration of 10 μg/mL bis a week. The improvement of pain was measured by a change in the mean of the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score from baseline to the end of treatment and during follow-ups. Patient satisfaction was assessed at the end of treatment using the SF-36 Questionnaire. The development of adverse drug reactions was recorded. The mean (±standard deviation) VAS pain score at baseline, at the end of treatment, and during follow-ups showed a significant reduction in pain over time (p < 0.001). All the patients who were enrolled (n: 540) were pain-free after one year. According to the pain distribution, all subjects showed a significant reduction in pain over time in each group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed with respect to sex or age. No adverse events were observed during the study. In conclusion, we documented that the intramuscular injection of an O2−O3 mixture is an effective and safe treatment option for patients with cervicobrachial pain.

Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Injection of Botulinum Toxin, Ozone, and Lidocaine in Piriformis Syndrome

Background: Piriformis syndrome (PS) is a painful musculoskeletal condition characterized by a deep gluteal pain that may radiate to the posterior thigh and leg. This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of ozone and BTX to lidocaine injection in treating piriformis syndrome that was resistant to medication and/or physical therapy. Study design: Between November 2018 and August 2019, we involved eighty-four subjects diagnosed with piriformis syndrome in a double-blinded, prospective, randomized comparative study to receive an ultrasound-guided injection of lidocaine (control group), botulinum toxin A, or local ozone (28 patients each group) in the belly of the piriformis muscle. Pain condition evaluated by the visual analog score (VAS) was used as a primary outcome, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) as a secondary outcome, before, at one month, two months, three months, and six months following the injection. Results: The majority (58.3%) of patients were male, while (41.7%) were female. At one month, a highly significant decrease occurred in VAS and ODI in the lidocaine and ozone groups compared to the botulinum toxin group (p < 0.001). At six months, there was a highly significant decrease in VAS and ODI in the botulinum toxin group compared to the lidocaine and ozone groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Botulinum toxin may assist in the medium- and long-term management of piriformis syndrome, while lidocaine injection and ozone therapy may help short-term treatment in patients not responding to conservative treatment and physiotherapy.

Pain Management and Rehabilitation for Central Sensitization in Temporomandibular Disorders: A Comprehensive Review

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a group of musculoskeletal diseases affecting masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joints (TMJ). In this context, the chronic TMD could be considered as a condition with chronic primary orofacial pain, presenting as myofascial TMD pain or TMJ arthralgia. In this context, myogenous TMD may present overlapping features with other disorders, such as fibromyalgia and primary headaches, characterized by chronic primary pain related to dysfunction of the central nervous system (CNS), probably through the central sensitization. This phenomenon could be defined as an amplified response of the CNS to sensory stimuli and peripheral nociceptive, characterized by hyperexcitability in the dorsal horn neurons in the spinal cord, which ascend through the spinothalamic tract. The main objectives of the management of TMD patients are: decreasing pain, increasing TMJ function, and reducing the reflex masticatory muscle spasm/pain. The first-line treatments are physical therapy, pharmacological drugs, occlusal splints, laser therapy, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and oxygen–ozone therapy. Although all these therapeutic approaches were shown to have a positive impact on the central sensitization of TMD pain, there is still no agreement on this topic in the scientific literature. Thus, in this comprehensive review, we aimed at evaluating the evidence on pain management and rehabilitation for the central sensitization in TMD patients.

The Mito-Hormetic Mechanisms of Ozone in the Clearance of SARS-CoV2 and in the COVID-19 Therapy

An increasing body of evidence in the literature is reporting the feasibility of using medical ozone as a possible alternative and adjuvant treatment for COVID-19 patients, significantly reducing hospitalization time, pro-inflammatory indicators, and coagulation markers and improving blood oxygenation parameters. In addition to the well-described ability of medical ozone in counteracting oxidative stress through the upregulation of the main anti-oxidant and scavenging enzymes, oxygen–ozone (O₂–O₃) therapy has also proved effective in reducing chronic inflammation and the occurrence of immune thrombosis, two key players involved in COVID-19 exacerbation and severity. As chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are also reported to be among the main drivers of the long sequelae of SARS-CoV2 infection, a rising number of studies is investigating the potential of O₂–O₃ therapy to reduce and/or prevent the wide range of post-COVID (or PASC)-related disorders. This narrative review aims to describe the molecular mechanisms through which medical ozone acts, to summarize the clinical evidence on the use of O₂–O₃ therapy as an alternative and adjuvant COVID-19 treatment, and to discuss the emerging potential of this approach in the context of PASC symptoms, thus offering new insights into effective and safe nonantiviral therapies for the fighting of this devastating pandemic.

Ozone induces autophagy by activating PPARγ/mTOR in rat chondrocytes treated with IL-1β

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the main cause of older pain and disability. Intra-articular injections of ozone (O₃) commonly have been found to have antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects to reduce pain and improve function in knee osteoarthritis. It has been reported that reduced autophagy in chondrocytes plays an important role in the development of OA. This study aimed to probe the role of O₃ on the autophagy in chondrocytes treated with IL-1β.

Methods

Primary chondrocytes were isolated from Wistar rats cartilage within 3 days. The OA chondrocytes model was induced via treatment with IL-1β for 24 h. Then the cells were treated with O₃ and GW9662, the inhibitor of PPARγ. Cell viability was assessed by CCK-8. Further, the cells subjected to Western blot analysis, qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence assay. The numbers of autophagosomes were observed via transmission electron microscopy.

Results

30 μg/ml O₃ improved the viability of chondrocytes treated with IL-1β. The decreased level of autophagy proteins and the numbers of autophagosomes improved in IL-1β-treated chondrocytes with O₃ via activating PPARγ/mTOR. In addition, the qRT-PCR results showed that O₃ decreased the levels of IL-6, TNF-α and MMP-3, MMP-13 in chondrocytes treated with IL-1β.

Conclusions

30 μg/ml O₃ improved autophagy via activating PPARγ/mTOR signaling and suppressing inflammation in chondrocytes treated with IL-1β.

Intra-articular ozone slows down the process of degeneration of articular cartilage in the knees of rats with osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease of multifactorial etiology, affecting mainly the knees. We aimed to evaluate the effects of two different doses of gaseous ozone intra-articularly on the knee cartilage morphology of rats with osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

The articular lesion was induced by sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA). 40 Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: G1 control (without lesion and without treatment), G2 articular lesion (AL) (only lesion MIA-induced), G3 AL + treatment with 5 μg/mL of ozone intra-articular, and G4 AL + treatment with 10 μg/mL of ozone intra-articular. The experiment was carried out for 60 days.

RESULTS

Both doses of ozone intra-articular demonstrated less reduction in joint space (G3 and G4) compared to the G2, formation of osteophytes, but without subchondral sclerosis. Ozone decreased the volumetric density of the articular lesion (VV(AL)) of tibial. The treatments recovered VV(AL) of the femur similar to G1. Ozone lower dose (G3) showed lower tibia and femur macroscopic scores.

CONCLUSION

Intra-articular gaseous ozone can delay the degeneration of articular cartilage and can represents an integrative therapy in the OA treatment of knee after 60 days of treatment. For the first time the role of ozone in articular cartilage degeneration was evaluated helping to understand this therapy.

Oxygen-Ozone Therapy for Reducing Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines Serum Levels in Musculoskeletal and Temporomandibular Disorders: A Comprehensive Review

To date, the application of oxygen-ozone (O₂O₃) therapy has significantly increased in the common clinical practice in several pathological conditions. However, beyond the favorable clinical effects, the biochemical effects of O₂O₃ are still far from being understood. This comprehensive review aimed at investigating the state of the art about the effects of O₂O₃ therapy on pro-inflammatory cytokines serum levels as a modulator of oxidative stress in patients with musculoskeletal and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The efficacy of O₂O₃ therapy could be related to the moderate oxidative stress modulation produced by the interaction of ozone with biological components. More in detail, O₂O₃ therapy is widely used as an adjuvant therapeutic option in several pathological conditions characterized by chronic inflammatory processes and immune overactivation. In this context, most musculoskeletal and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) share these two pathophysiological processes. Despite the paucity of in vivo studies, this comprehensive review suggests that O₂O₃ therapy might reduce serum levels of interleukin 6 in patients with TMD, low back pain, knee osteoarthritis and rheumatic diseases with a concrete and measurable interaction with the inflammatory pathway. However, to date, further studies are needed to clarify the effects of this promising therapy on inflammatory mediators and their clinical implications.

Use of hyaluronic acid associated with triamcinolone acetonide or ozone gas in the treatment of induced osteoarthritis in rabbits

Purpose:

To evaluate the effects of the intra-articular application of hyaluronic acid associated with triamcinolone acetonide, and ozone gas in the treatment of induced osteoarthritis in rabbit’s stifles.

Methods:

Twenty-one Norfolk rabbits were submitted to cranial cruciate ligament transection of the left stifle. After six weeks of the surgery, the rabbits were randomized assigned into three groups: G1 (control) – saline solution (0.9%); G2 – hyaluronic acid associated with triamcinolone; G3 – ozone gas, submitted to three intra-articular applications every seven days.

Results:

Significant differences occurred: osteophytes at medial femoral condyle (G2 > G1, G2 > G3) on radiography exam; thickening of the medial condyle (G1 > G3, G2 > G3) on ultrasound exam; osteophytes at lateral tibial condyle (G2 > G1, G2 > G3), and medial femoral condyle (G1 > G2, G3 > G1) on computed tomography. Histologically, mean values of chondrocytes in the femur and tibia in G3 and G2 were statistically lower.

Conclusions:

The intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid associated with triamcinolone accentuated degenerative joint disease by imaging and macroscopic evaluations, and by histological findings, this treatment and the ozone gas treatment showed similar effects and were inferior to the saline solution (0.9%).

Ozonized Water in Microbial Control: Analysis of the Stability, In Vitro Biocidal Potential, and Cytotoxicity

O3 dissolved in water (or ozonized water) has been considered a potent antimicrobial agent, and this study aimed to test this through microbiological and in vitro assays. The stability of O3 was accessed following modifications of the physicochemical parameters of water, such as the temperature and pH, with or without buffering. Three concentrations of O3 (0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 ppm) dissolved in water were tested against different microorganisms, and an analysis of the cytotoxic effects was also conducted using the human ear fibroblast cell line (Hfib). Under the physicochemical conditions of 4 °C and pH 5, O3 remained the most stable and concentrated compared to pH 7 and water at 25 °C. Exposure to ozonized water resulted in high mortality rates for Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans. Scanning electron micrograph images indicate that the effects on osmotic stability due to cell wall lysis might be one of the killing mechanisms of ozonized water. The biocidal agent was biocompatible and presented no cytotoxic effect against Hfib cells. Therefore, due to its cytocompatibility and biocidal action, ozonized water can be considered a viable alternative for microbial control, being possible, for example, its use in disinfection processes.

Integration of focal vibration and intra-articular oxygen-ozone therapy in rehabilitation of painful knee osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

To examine the pain-reducing effects of intra-articular oxygen-ozone (O₂O₃) injections and mechanical focal vibration (mFV) versus O₂O₃ injections alone in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

METHODS

Patients with chronic pain (>6 weeks) due to knee osteoarthritis (II-III on the Kellgren-Lawrence scale) were consecutively enrolled and divided into two groups: O₂O₃ (n = 25) and O₂O₃-mFV (n = 24). The visual analog scale (VAS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and Medical Research Council (MRC) Manual Muscle Testing scale were administered at baseline (before treatment), after 3 weeks of treatment, and 1 month after the end of treatment. Patients received three once-weekly intra-articular injections of O₂O₃ into the knee (20 mL O₃, 20 μg/mL). The O₂O₃-mFV group also underwent nine sessions of mFV (three sessions per week).

RESULTS

The VAS score, KOOS, and MRC score were significantly better in the O₂O₃-mFV than O₂O₃ group. The within-group analysis showed that all scores improved over time compared with baseline and were maintained even 1 month after treatment. No adverse events occurred.

CONCLUSION

An integrated rehabilitation protocol involving O₂O₃ injections and mFV for 3 weeks reduces pain, increases autonomy in daily life activities, and strengthens the quadriceps femoris.

Factors Predicting Successful Outcome for Ozone Chemonucleolysis in Lumbar Disk Herniation

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to retrospectively investigate factors predicting a successful outcome after ozone chemonucleolysis (OCN) in patients with radicular pain and poor response to conservative treatments.

METHODS

Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of good outcome after OCN. Good outcome was defined as 33% Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) reduction (model 1) or 13-point ODI improvement (model 2) at 1 month after OCN.

RESULTS

Two hundred seventy-three patients were analyzed. A significant pain reduction (pre-operative Numerical Rating Scale [NRS] 6.7 ± 1.5, postoperative NRS 2.6 ± 2.2, P < 0.0001) and ODI improvement (pre-operative ODI 39 ± 13.7, postoperative ODI 21.4 ± 13.8, P < 0.0001) was obtained 1 month after OCN. Pain duration (< 1 year), type of disk herniation based on Michigan State University classification (MSU), stages of disk degeneration revealed by discogram and absence of foraminal stenosis (bony or ligament flavum hypertrophy) appeared as predictors of successful outcome. Age, gender, previous spine surgery, level site of disk herniation, presence of uncontained lumbar disk herniation, and vertebral Modic changes were not statistically associated with the outcome. Both the models showed a good accuracy (model 1, area under the curve [AUC] = 0.84 ± 0.027, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.79 to 0.89; model 2, AUC = 0.86 ± 0.024, 95% CI = 0.81 to 0.91).

CONCLUSIONS

OCN is an effective treatment for radicular pain due to disk herniation. Pain duration (< 1 year), MSU disk herniation type (1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, and 2B), disk degeneration grade 2, and absence of foraminal stenosis are all associated with the successful outcome and should be carefully evaluated before OCN.

The effect of the platelet-rich plasma and ozone therapy on tendon-to-bone healing in the rabbit rotator cuff repair model

Background

The aim of this study is to histologically and biomechanically investigate the effects of local PRP and ozone therapy (O₂O₃) on tendon-to-bone healing in a rabbit model of the supraspinatus tendon tear.

Methods

Four groups were formed to have seven rabbits in each group: repair, R; repair + PRP, RP; repair + ozone, RO; and repair + PRP + ozone, RPO. The supraspinatus tendon was detached by sharp dissection from the footprint and an acute tear pattern was created. Thereafter, tendon repair was performed with the transosseous technique. In the RP group, PRP, and in the RPO group, PRP + O2O3 mixture was injected to the tendon repair site. In the RO group, O₂O₃ gas mixture was injected into subacromial space three times a week for a total of 4 weeks. The study was ended at postoperative 6th week.

Results

When compared with the R group, a statistically significant increase was observed in the biomechanical strength of the RP and RPO groups. The highest increase in biomechanical strength was detected in the RPO group. The histology of the RO and RPO groups showed better collagen fiber continuity and orientation than the R and RP groups.

Conclusions

The results obtained from this study show that the ozonized PRP can be used as biological support to increase tendon-to-bone healing. However, these results need to be supported by clinical studies.

Oxygen-Ozone Therapy in the Rehabilitation Field: State of the Art on Mechanisms of Action, Safety and Effectiveness in Patients with Musculoskeletal Disorders

In recent years, the interest in oxygen–ozone (O₂O₃) therapy application has considerably increased in the field of rehabilitation. Despite its widespread use in common clinical practice, the biochemical effects of O₂O₃ are still far from being understood, although its chemical properties seem to play a pivotal role in exerting its positive effects on different pathological conditions. Indeed, the effectiveness of O₂O₃ therapy might be partly due to the moderate oxidative stress produced by O₃ interactions with biological components. O₂O₃ therapy is widely used as an adjuvant therapeutic option in several pathological conditions characterized by chronic inflammatory processes and immune over-activation, and most musculoskeletal disorders share these pathophysiological processes. The present comprehensive review depicts the state-of-the-art on the mechanisms of action, safety and effectiveness of O₂O₃ therapy in the complex scenario of the management of musculoskeletal disorders. Taken together, our findings suggest that O₂O₃ therapy seems to reduce pain and improve functioning in patients affected by low back pain and knee osteoarthritis, as reported by several studies in the literature. However, to date, further studies are warranted to clearly investigate the therapeutic effects of this promising therapy on other musculoskeletal disorders in the field of rehabilitation.

Bone turnover markers in patients with isolated femoral shaft fracture undergoing systemic ozone therapy

Efferent physical therapy holds promise as an adjunct to the combination treatment of femoral fractures in young, working-age individuals. The aim of the study was to investigate the dynamics of bone turnover markers at different stages of femoral fracture consolidation in patients undergoing ozone therapy. The study enrolled 20 men (group 2, 47.8 ± 3.5 years) with a femoral shaft fracture (AO/ASIF 32А, 32В). The control group (group 1, 46.8 ± 3.7 years) comprised 10 healthy males. Subgroup 2a (n = 10) was assigned to receive standard therapy; subgroup 2b (n = 10) was assigned to receive standard therapy complemented by minor autohemotherapy (MAHT) at 20 mg/L ozone concentrations. On days 7, 30 and 90, fracture consolidation was assessed on the RUST scale and blood levels of С-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (bCTx, pg/ml) and procollagen type I carboxy-terminal propeptide (PICP, ng/ml) were measured. On day 7, the total RUST score in subgroups 2a and 2b was 4 points; on day 30, it was 6.5 and 8.7 points, respectively, and on day 90, it reached 10 and 11.5 points, respectively. Bone mineral density was as high as 90% in the MAHT subgroup vs. 78% in subgroup 2а, indicating faster bone healing. On day 30, bCTx levels in subgroup 2b were higher than in subgroup 2a (2289.4 [2145.3; 2365.4] vs. 1894.6 [1745.3; 2098.2], respectively. On day 7, PICP was significantly elevated in subgroup 2b in comparison with subgroup 2a; its levels peaked on days 30 and 90 (day 30: 268.3 [231.2; 286.3] vs. 183.2 [174.6; 195.6]; day 90: 584.6 [512.3; 589.3] vs. 351.2 [312.3; 369.4]. Thus, MAHT produces a positive effect on the quality and intensity of bone healing in men with isolated closed femoral shaft fractures.

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Efferent physical therapy holds promise as an adjunct to the combination treatment of femoral fractures in young, working-age individuals. The aim of the study was to investigate the dynamics of bone turnover markers at different stages of femoral fracture consolidation in patients undergoing ozone therapy. The study enrolled 20 men (group 2, 47.8 ± 3.5 years) with a femoral shaft fracture (AO/ASIF 32А, 32В). The control group (group 1, 46.8 ± 3.7 years) comprised 10 healthy males. Subgroup 2a (n = 10) was assigned to receive standard therapy; subgroup 2b (n = 10) was assigned to receive standard therapy complemented by minor autohemotherapy (MAHT) at 20 mg/L ozone concentrations. On days 7, 30 and 90, fracture consolidation was assessed on the RUST scale and blood levels of С-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (bCTx, pg/ml) and procollagen type I carboxy-terminal propeptide (PICP, ng/ml) were measured. On day 7, the total RUST score in subgroups 2a and 2b was 4 points; on day 30, it was 6.5 and 8.7 points, respectively, and on day 90, it reached 10 and 11.5 points, respectively. Bone mineral density was as high as 90% in the MAHT subgroup vs. 78% in subgroup 2а, indicating faster bone healing. On day 30, bCTx levels in subgroup 2b were higher than in subgroup 2a (2289.4 [2145.3; 2365.4] vs. 1894.6 [1745.3; 2098.2], respectively. On day 7, PICP was significantly elevated in subgroup 2b in comparison with subgroup 2a; its levels peaked on days 30 and 90 (day 30: 268.3 [231.2; 286.3] vs. 183.2 [174.6; 195.6]; day 90: 584.6 [512.3; 589.3] vs. 351.2 [312.3; 369.4]. Thus, MAHT produces a positive effect on the quality and intensity of bone healing in men with isolated closed femoral shaft fractures.

The main uses of ozone therapy in diseases of large animals: A review

Ozone (O₃) is a molecule composed of three oxygen atoms, highly unstable, capable of reacting with various substances of the human and animal organism, giving rise to by-products that will participate in biochemical reactions. Thus, O₃ has a wide mechanism of action and can be used in different diseases of large animals. In those animals, the therapy is used mainly in reproductive diseases and wound healing.

Ozone Exposure Induces Metabolic Disorders and NAD+ Depletion Through PARP1 Activation in Spinal Cord Neurons

Background and Objective: Ozone therapy has shown therapeutic efficacy in different disorders particularly low back pain (LBP). However, ozone therapy has been associated with toxic effects on the respiratory, endocrine, cardiovascular systems as well as nervous system because of its strong oxidizing capacity. Recent studies have reported possible associations between ozone exposure and metabolic disorders, but the findings are controversial and little is known on the mechanisms of action. This study aims to investigate the cytotoxic effects of ozone exposure and possible mechanism of action in the animal model.

Methods: Wistar neonate rats with the age of 24 h after birth were sacrificed by cervical dislocation under general anesthesia, then immersed in 75% alcohol and iodophor for 5 min, respectively. The spinal cord was isolated and cut to samples of ~1 mm³ and prepared for further experiments. The spinal cord neurons (SCNs) were exposed to ozone at different concentrations and then cultured in 96-well plates with glass bottom for 7 days. The cell viability, ATP levels and the NAD+ concentration were determined and compared between the different experimental groups and the control group.

Results: Analyses of the data by non-targeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis determined the metabolic disorder in SCNs following the ozone exposure. Moreover, our assessments showed that ozone exposure resulted in DNA damage, poly (ADP)-ribose polymerase-1 (PARP1) excessive activation, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) depletion and decrease of ATP level in SCNs. The PARP1 inhibitor can inhibit the cytotoxic effect of ozone to SCNs without inhibiting the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Our findings revealed that the cytotoxic effects of ozone to SCNs might be mediated by excessive PARP1 activation and subsequent NAD+ depletion. Moreover, using PARP1 inhibitor can protect SCNs from cytotoxic effects of ozone by preventing NAD+ depletion during ozone exposure.

Conclusion: Ozone exposure seems to induce metabolic disorders and NAD+ depletion through excessive PARP1 activation in SCNs.

Medical ozone therapy in facet joint syndrome: an overview of sonoanatomy, ultrasound-guided injection techniques and potential mechanism of action

Facet joint osteoarthritis is the most prevalent source of facet joint pain and represents a significant cause of low back pain. Oxygen-ozone therapy has been shown to have positive results in acute and chronic spinal degeneration diseases and it could be a safe and efficacious alternative to traditional facet joint conservative treatments. This review article explains the interventional facet joint management with ultrasound-guided oxygen-ozone therapy, providing an anatomy/sonoanatomy overview of lumbar facet joints and summarizing the potential mechanism of action of oxygen-ozone in the treatment of facet joint osteoarthritis, not yet fully understood.

Retrospective observational study of intramuscular oxygen-ozone therapy for the treatment of neck pain: cervical paravertebral injection

Neck pain is one of the major pathologies responsible for loss of labor. Many conservative treatment methods for neck pain have been described. The purpose of this study was to obtain pain scores for patients undergoing paravertebral ozone-oxygen (O₃/O₂) injections for neck pain caused by cervical disc disease. Over the last 6 months of 2018, 72 patients who undergoing intramuscular O₃/O₂ injections to treat neck pain were examined retrospectively in this multicenter study. Patients were injected with 30 mL of 20 μg/mL O₃/O₂ gas (into the paravertebral space). Subjects were treated once a week for 6 weeks. The visual analog scale pain scores and Japanese Orthopedic Association scores were obtained before (pre-injection) and after treatment (i.e., at 2 and 6 months). Significant improvements were observed in visual analog scale and Japanese Orthopedic Association scores at both 2 and 6 months versus the pre-injection scores. There was no significant difference in the visual analog scale or Japanese Orthopedic Association scores between 2 and 6 months. Paravertebral O₃/O₂ injection is a reliable and effective treatment of neck pain caused by cervical disc disease. The study was approved by Umraniye Education and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Turkey (Reference Number: 00102187854) on September 25, 2019.

The effectiveness of percutaneous injections of ozonotherapy in low back pain

INTRODUCTION

Lumbar pain is one of the main reasons for medical consultation, causing the disruption of daily routines due to its disabling nature, thus resulting in social and personal damage. Among the complementary treatments, ozonotherapy offers analgesia to most patients, with reports of complications. However, great questions about its clinical effectiveness have not been answered yet, and there have been reports of serious complications.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the use of ozonotherapy in the treatment of lumbar pain, focusing on its favorable and unfavorable effects, and its analog profile.

METHODS

A cross-sectional bibliographic research was performed with scientific articles obtained from the Pubmed, LILACS and Scopus database, using the following descriptors: "Ozone", "Therapy", "Lumbar pain", "complication", "Disk herniation", "Guideline", "Protocol", "Standards", "Criteria".

RESULTS

The researched literature corroborates that, in clinical practice, there is safety in the use of oxygen-ozone therapy through percutaneous injections for the treatment of lumbar pain, especially when compared to surgeries and use of medicines, provided that strict criteria are followed.

CONCLUSION

The procedure is effective and has a favorable analgesic profile. However, it is necessary to produce a medical guideline that will help in its strict and systematic control.

Antimycotic Activity of Ozonized Oil in Liposome Eye Drops against Candida spp

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the antifungal activity and mechanism of action of ozonized oil eye drops in liposomes (Ozodrop), commercialized as eye lubricant for the treatment of dry eye syndrome and eye inflammation. The activity was tested against four clinical Candida species: C albicans, C glabrata, C krusei, and C orthopsilosis.

Methods

The antifungal activity of the eye drop solution was ascertained by microdilution method in accordance with EUCAST obtaining the minimum inhibitory concentration for Ozodrop. The mechanism of action was further investigated in C albicans by measuring cell vitality, intracellular reactive oxygen species production, levels of cellular and mitochondrial (∆Ψ_m) membrane potential, and the extent of membrane lipid peroxidation.

Results

All Candida isolates were susceptible to Ozodrop with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 0.195% (v/v) for C glabrata to 6.25% (v/v) for C orthopsilosis. After 1 hour of exposure at the minimum inhibitory concentration value about 30% of cells were killed, reaching about 70% at the highest Ozodrop value. After Ozodrop exposure, C albicans showed cell membrane depolarization, increased levels of lipid peroxidation, depolarized ∆Ψ_m, and increased reactive oxygen species generation.

Conclusions

The significant increases in reactive oxygen species production cause the accumulation of reactive oxygen species-associated damages leading to progressive Candida cell dysfunction.

Translational Relevance

The antifungal activity of Ozodrop was demonstrated at concentrations several times lower than the concentration that can be retrieved in ocular surface after its application. The antifungal activity of the eye drops Ozodrop would represent an interesting off-label indication for a product basically conceived as an eye lubricant.

Ozone Therapy and Aquatic Rehabilitation Exercises to Overcome the Lumbar Pain Caused by Facet Joint Syndrome - Case Report

Purpose

Facet joint syndrome (FJS) is an arthritis-like condition of the spine that can be a significant source of low back pain (LBP). Ozone therapy (OT) could be an additional treatment method. We evaluated the therapeutic results of percutaneous injection of ozone to ablate acute LBP caused by FJS.

Methods

A 73-year-old Caucasian woman was treated by OT: one ozone injection (20 µg/mL) per week for 3 weeks under ultrasound guidance. After a break of 1 week, she performed exercises for aquatic rehabilitation (twice a week for 4 weeks).

Results

The outcome measure was pain relief for ≥6 months according to the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) test. From baseline to 1 month after OT, a reduction in pain was documented and the result was maintained at 6-month follow-up.

Conclusion

OT followed by aquatic exercises could be efficacious against the LBP caused by FJS.

Ozone and pulsed electro-magnetic field therapies improve endometrial lining thickness in frozen embryo transfer cycles: Three case reports

RATIONALE

In assisted reproductive technology, a persistently thin endometrial lining represents a huge challenge during frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles.

PATIENT CONCERNS

Three patients who had a persistently thin endometrial lining despite the use of several medical agents known to improve endometrial lining thickness.

DIAGNOSES

Infertility undergoing FET cycles.

INTERVENTIONS

A combination of transdermal and intravaginal ozone therapy along with Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Field (PEMF) therapy.

OUTCOMES

Ozone with PEMF, both of which are known to have vasodilatatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant actions, were successful in improving the thickness of the endometrial lining in all 3 patients. Two out of 3 patients became pregnant following single embryo transfer.

LESSONS

Ozone with PEMF constitute a novel experimental approach for women with persistently thin endometrial lining undergoing FET. This novel approach needs validation by large well-designed studies.

The Biochemical and Pharmacological Properties of Ozone: The Smell of Protection in Acute and Chronic Diseases

Ozone therapy has been widely used in everyday clinical practice over the last few years, leading to significant clinical results in the treatment of herniated discs and pain management. Nevertheless, further studies have demonstrated its potential efficacy and safety under other clinical and experimental conditions. However, some of these studies showed controversial results regarding the safety and efficacy of ozone therapy, thus mining its potential use in an everyday clinical practice. To this regard, it should be considered that extensive literature review reported the use of ozone in a significant different dose range and with different delivery systems. The aim of the present review is to describe the various pharmacological effects of ozone in different organs and clinical conditions and to provide possible biochemical and molecular insights for ozone biological properties, thus providing a possible explanation for various controversial clinical outcomes described in the scientific literature.