It is an allotropic form of molecular oxygen that is present, as a natural gaseous constituent, in the upper layers of the atmosphere, representing 0.0001% of its total composition.
It was discovered by the Dutch physicist Van Marun in 1783, investigating electrostatic machines which gave off a characteristic odour; just as it happened years later to Ciusank, in 1801, when carrying out the hydrolysis of water.
Etymologically, the name ” ozone ” derives from the Greek verb OZEIN, which means “smell”, since this gas has a very characteristic, unique and pungent odor for our olfactory receptors, from a threshold concentration of 0.01ppm. Below this concentration it cannot be smelled and above 0.1 it is irritating to humans.
Ozone is a faint blue gas, which would explain the blue color of the sky and the seas. At the temperature of -111.9 ºC it appears in the liquid state (condensation temperature) with a dark blue color and at the temperature of -193 ºC it appears in the solid state (melting temperature) and acquires a dark red color. Its density in liquid state, at -182 ºC, is 1.572 g/cm3 and its mass in gaseous state, at 0 ºC and 1 atm., is 2.144 g. Its solubility in water is 50% higher than that of oxygen, which is a slow oxidizer, while ozone is a fast oxidizer; It is highly toxic by the respiratory route, since it deteriorates the alveolar membrane.
It is very unstable in the liquid and solid states. However, also in the gaseous state, ozone is very unstable, especially in high concentrations and in the presence of water, due to the presence of endothermic bonds between atoms (H = 34 Kcal/mol).
With concentrations of 20%, self-ignition phenomena can be generated, which are not evident below 8%; however, the rate of decomposition depends on the temperature (at 25º 60% degrades in one hour). That is why medical ozone must be produced at the time of use and stored for a short period of time.
Benefits of ozone Treatment
Metabolic Effects:
The systemic effects of Ozone Treatment Odessa well as most of the local effects on the tissues must be achieved through the products of the main reactions on the metabolism, that is, through the ozone metabolites, which are the products of the reactions of ozone and/or the decomposition of ozonides under physiological conditions. Such metabolites, originating from chain breaks in unsaturated fatty acids, are similar to endogenous lipid peroxides. These are of shorter chain, and consequently of lower molecular weight and greater hydrophilic character. Therefore, they are better able to penetrate cell membranes. The arrival of such molecules to the cytosolic phase produces the activation of glutathione peroxidase, which reduces them to alcohols, at the expense of reduced glutathione (GSH), which is, in turn, oxidized to glutathione (GSSG). This step takes place with an energy difference of 280 mV and facilitates a proton flow for the coupled reactions. At the same time, glutathione reductase is also activated to regenerate GSH at the expense of NADPH. These discoveries are supported by in vivo determinations during experimental tests in animals and humans, as well as in ex vivo tests, related to the protective effects produced by ozone metabolites in organs subjected to ischemia-reperfusion processes. To neutralize oxidative stress, the GSH«GSSG ratio in the cytoplasm is maintained at a value of about 97.4:1 by activated glutathione reductase, coupled with the NADPH«NADP system. Thus, a corresponding increase in NADPH production occurs proportionately. The main pathway for the production of NADPH is constituted by the shunt of the pentose pathway of glycolysis, and therefore, the same glycolysis is also accelerated, thus accelerating the production of ATP, causing an increase in the availability of energy for the cells. cells. The consequent acceleration of GSH turnover and glycolysis is the final consequence of the effect of the aforementioned short-chain hydroperoxides. These effects also make energy available to cells in the form of ATP. Also the production of 2,3-DPG increases, thus increasing the release of Oxygen from oxyhemoglobin, thereby increasing tissue oxygenation. causing an increase in the availability of energy for the cells. The consequent acceleration of GSH turnover and glycolysis is the final consequence of the effect of the aforementioned short-chain hydroperoxides. These effects also make energy available to cells in the form of ATP. Also the production of 2,3-DPG increases, thus increasing the release of Oxygen from oxyhemoglobin, thereby increasing tissue oxygenation. causing an increase in the availability of energy for the cells. The consequent acceleration of GSH turnover and glycolysis is the final consequence of the effect of the aforementioned short-chain hydroperoxides. These effects also make energy available to cells in the form of ATP. Also the production of 2,3-DPG increases, thus increasing the release of Oxygen from oxyhemoglobin, thereby increasing tissue oxygenation.
Effects on oxidation-reduction processes:
The benefit of Ozone Treatment Odessa seems to be associated with the preservation of endogenous antioxidant mechanisms (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase), responsible for less oxidative stress. This leads to the conclusion that ozone possibly acts to reduce free oxygen radicals, which are responsible for tissue damage during reperfusion.
Stimulation of enzymatic defenses:
The stimulation of enzymes related to oxidation-reduction processes is very important to increase the protective capacity of cells against aggressive oxidants and free radicals.
Activation of the immune system:
Various studies carried out in vitro and in vivo have already demonstrated the ability of ozone metabolites and ozone therapy to improve the functions of the immune systems, both cellular and humoral. The effect of increased proliferation and activity of lymphocytes and macrophages has been evidenced, as well as increases in interleukins, cytokines and immunoglobulins under the effect of ozone metabolites.
Germicidal activity (antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral):
It is one of the most typical and important properties of ozone. The viricidal action is established at the level of the reproductive cycle of the virus, interfering with its intracellular passage due to the oxidizing power of ozone.
Effects of ozone on herniated disc:
When ozone enters the intervertebral disc, it dissolves in the intramolecular water of the nucleus pulposus and reacts with proteoglycans (chondroitin sulfate and keratan sulfate) and with type II and IV collagen. The formation of ROS, among which are H2O2 and O2, is followed by the generation of hydroxyl radicals (OH), according to the Fenton reaction, due to the presence of traces of iron ions that can be released from the needle. H2O2 + Fe2+ -> OH + OH- + Fe 3+The OH radical is the most reactive in attacking and destroying any biomolecule within its reach: the rapid reabsorption of hydrolytic products and free water lead to a progressive shrinkage of the nucleus pulposus and possibly to the disappearance of the herniated material.
Ozone therapy for radicular pain
On direct pressure mechanisms:
The oxidation of the different substrates present in the disc, especially glucose, galactose, N-acetyl-glycosamine, glucuronic acids, glycine and 4-hydroxyproline, breaks down the intra- and intermolecular ligands collapsing the three-dimensional structure of collagen. All this can take place both in the nucleus pulposus as in the herniated disc: the result is the reabsorption of water and fibrosis.
Based on its solubility and pressure, when ozone is injected into the disk, it dissolves, generating a cascade of free radicals. As intradiscal water contains a minimal amount of fatty acids, lipoperoxides are scarcely formed.
On indirect mechanical factors:
The indirect mechanical factors are those of a vascular type: in this aspect, ozone exerts some of its best-known pharmacological effects, such as the intra- and trans-tissue release of oxygen, improving hypoxia and venous and lymphatic stasis.
On the cell-mediated inflammatory response:
Inhibition of the release of proteinases by macrophages and polymorphonuclear neutrophils. -Increased release of immunosuppressive cytokines (interleukin 10, TGF beta 10) that inhibit cytotoxic compounds.
On the biohumoral inflammatory response:
Inhibition of the synthesis of proinflammatory prostaglandins.
Inhibition of bradycin release.
Neutralization of endogenous free radicals and local stimulation of the local production of antioxidant enzymes.
Increased release of antagonists, of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1, 2, 8 and 15.
In conclusion, much remains to be clarified about the mechanism of action of ozone and much research work will be necessary to discover how and why ozone has so many and varied beneficial effects for the body in general and for healing. or improvement of multiple pathologies, including those with color as the main symptom
Ozone injected inside the Disc with exit towards the foramen and the epidural space. This indicates annulus fibrosus injury.
