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Special Issue "Ozone in Medicine: Recent Advances on the Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Its Biological and Medical Action"

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2023 | Viewed by 5755

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Dr. Lamberto Re

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Former Researcher Clinical Pharmacology Department, Marche Polytechnic University, 010118 Ancona, Italy
Interests: ozone; oxidative medicine; Nrf2; aging; hormesis; systems medicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In light of the most recent scientific discoveries and the constant increase in authoritative literature in the field, we believe that a multidisciplinary approach is necessary for the better understanding and characterization of complementary and integrative techniques, such as those based on the administration of medical ozone.

In our opinion, a serious scientific evaluation is mandatory in order to help to clarify the molecular aspects underlying this method and, finally, to justify its potential usefulness for human health.

We will then retrace the path and the various passages that, from the first decades of the last century, accompanied the uses of ozone up to the most recent discoveries that, at the beginning of the third millennium, justified its application both in the prevention and treatment of many pathological conditions of third age, in addition to pathologies of the spine and skeletal muscle.

Life expectancy is constantly increasing and, despite a slight reduction in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it represents an event that, although favourable, will affect many conditions related to aging.

The recent discovery of common pathogenetic mechanisms and, above all, the involvement of the metabolic pathway of Nrf2 at the basis of cardiovascular, immunological, neurological and oncological disorders prevalent in the elderly population has opened new horizons regarding the prevention and possible integration of chemotherapy, pharmacology and surgery therapies.

We are convinced that oxidative medicine and ozone in particular can represent a surprising supplement, being relatively low cost and above all without adverse effects. It is also important to discuss its potential uses in dentistry and veterinary medicine that are continuously emerging around the world.

In summary, this Special Issue aims to clarify the possible molecular mechanisms underlying the cascade of messengers activated by an adequate oxidative stress, which, from a purely pharmacological point of view, are very far from the kinetic model represented by the Michaelis–Menten equation on drug–receptor interaction and which could be better defined according to the novel systems medicine approach.

Dr. Lamberto Re
Guest Editor

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Keywords

ozone
oxidative medicine
Nrf2
aging
hormesis
systems medicine

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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Open AccessCommunication

Ozonated Oil in Liposome Eyedrops Reduces the Formation of Biofilm, Selection of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, and Adhesion of Bacteria to Human Corneal Cells

Valentina Gentili

Giovanni Strazzabosco

and

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(18), 14078; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241814078 - 14 Sep 2023

Viewed by 353

Abstract

The recent attention to the risk of potential permanent eye damage triggered by ocular infections has been leading to a deeper investigation of the current antimicrobials. An antimicrobial agent used in ophthalmology should possess the following characteristics: a broad antimicrobial spectrum, prompt action even in the presence of organic matter, and nontoxicity. The objective of this study is to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of widely used ophthalmic antiseptics containing povidone-iodine, chlorhexidine, and liposomes containing ozonated sunflower oil. We determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) on various microbial strains: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 33591), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 9027), and Escherichia coli (ATCC 873). Furthermore, we assessed its efficacy in controlling antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation, and bacterial adhesion. All three antiseptic ophthalmic preparations showed significant anti-microbicidal and anti-biofilm activity, with the liposomes containing ozonated sunflower oil with the highest ability to control antibiotic resistance and bacteria adhesion to human corneal cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ozone in Medicine: Recent Advances on the Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Its Biological and Medical Action)

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Open AccessArticle

Mitochondrial Features of Mouse Myoblasts Are Finely Tuned by Low Doses of Ozone: The Evidence In Vitro

Chiara Rita Inguscio

and

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(10), 8900; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24108900 - 17 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 564

Abstract

The mild oxidative stress induced by low doses of gaseous ozone (O₃) activates the antioxidant cell response through the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), thus inducing beneficial effects without cell damage. Mitochondria are sensitive to mild oxidative stress and represent a susceptible O₃ target. In this in vitro study, we investigated the mitochondrial response to low O₃ doses in the immortalized, non-tumoral muscle C2C12 cells; a multimodal approach including fluorescence microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and biochemistry was used. Results demonstrated that mitochondrial features are finely tuned by low O₃ doses. The O₃ concentration of 10 μg maintained normal levels of mitochondria-associated Nrf2, promoted the mitochondrial increase of size and cristae extension, reduced cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and prevented cell death. Conversely, in 20 μg O₃-treated cells, where the association of Nrf2 with the mitochondria drastically dropped, mitochondria underwent more significant swelling, and ROS and cell death increased. This study, therefore, adds original evidence for the involvement of Nrf2 in the dose-dependent response to low O₃ concentrations not only as an Antioxidant Response Elements (ARE) gene activator but also as a regulatory/protective factor of mitochondrial function. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ozone in Medicine: Recent Advances on the Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Its Biological and Medical Action)

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Open AccessArticle

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

and

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(10), 8788; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24108788 - 15 May 2023

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Abstract

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. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ozone in Medicine: Recent Advances on the Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Its Biological and Medical Action)

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Review

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Open AccessReview

The Biological and Molecular Action of Ozone and Its Derivatives: State-of-the-Art, Enhanced Scenarios, and Quality Insights

Valter Travagli

and

Eugenio Luigi Iorio

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(10), 8465; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24108465 - 09 May 2023

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Abstract

The ultimate objective of this review is to encourage a multi-disciplinary and integrated methodological approach that, starting from the recognition of some current uncertainties, helps to deepen the molecular bases of ozone treatment effects on human and animal well-being and to optimize their performance in terms of reproducibility of results, quality, and safety. In fact, the common therapeutic treatments are normally documented by healthcare professionals’ prescriptions. The same applies to medicinal gases (whose uses are based on their pharmacological effects) that are intended for patients for treatment, diagnostic, or preventive purposes and that have been produced and inspected in accordance with good manufacturing practices and pharmacopoeia monographs. On the contrary, it is the responsibility of healthcare professionals, who thoughtfully choose to use ozone as a medicinal product, to achieve the following objectives: (i) to understand the molecular basis of the mechanism of action; (ii) to adjust the treatment according to the clinical responses obtained in accordance with the principles of precision medicine and personalized therapy; (iii) to ensure all quality standards. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ozone in Medicine: Recent Advances on the Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Its Biological and Medical Action)

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Open AccessReview

The Use of Medical Ozone in Chronic Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Can Be an Etiological and Conservative Treatment

Anibal Martin Grangeat

and

Maria de los Angeles Erario

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(7), 6538; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24076538 - 31 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1605

Abstract

Degeneration of the intervertebral disc is one of the most frequent causes of lumbar pain, and it puts an extreme strain on worldwide healthcare systems. Finding a solution for this disease is an important challenge as current surgical and conservative treatments fail to bring a short-term or long-term solution to the problem. Medical ozone has yielded excellent results in intervertebral disc pathology. When it comes to extruded disc herniation, ozone is the only etiological treatment because it stimulates the immune system to absorb the herniated portion of the nucleus pulposus, thus resolving discal extrusion. This work aims to examine the biomolecular mechanisms that lead to intervertebral disc degeneration while highlighting the significance of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. Considering that ozone is a regulator of oxidative stress and, therefore, of inflammation, we assert that medical ozone could modulate this process and obtain inflammatory stage macrophages (M1) to switch to the repair phase (M2). Consequently, the ozone would be a therapeutic resource that would work on the etiology of the disease as an epigenetic regulator that would help repair the intervertebral space. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ozone in Medicine: Recent Advances on the Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Its Biological and Medical Action)

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Special Issue "Ozone in Medicine: Recent Advances on the Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Its Biological and Medical Action"

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