Ozone Therapy on Cerebral Blood Flow: A Preliminary Report

Abstract

Ozone therapy is currently being used in the treatment of ischemic disorders, but the underlying mechanisms that result in successful treatment are not well known. This study assesses the effect of ozone therapy on the blood flow in the middle cerebral and common carotid arteries. Seven subjects were recruited for the therapy that was performed by transfusing ozone-enriched autologous blood on 3 alternate days over 1 week. Blood flow quantification in the common carotid artery (n = 14) was performed using color Doppler. Systolic and diastolic velocities in the middle cerebral artery (n = 14) were estimated using transcranial Doppler. Ultrasound assessments were conducted at the following three time points: 1) basal (before ozone therapy), 2) after session #3 and 3) 1 week after session #3. The common carotid blood flow had increased by 75% in relation to the baseline after session #3 (P < 0.001) and by 29% 1 week later (P = 0.039). In the middle cerebral artery, the systolic velocity had increased by 22% after session #3 (P = 0.001) and by 15% 1 week later (P = 0.035), whereas the diastolic velocity had increased by 33% after session #3 (P < 0.001) and by 18% 1 week later (P = 0.023). This preliminary Doppler study supports the clinical experience of achieving improvement by using ozone therapy in peripheral ischemic syndromes. Its potential use as a complementary treatment in cerebral low perfusion syndromes merits further clinical evaluation.

Figures

Figure 1

Transcranial Doppler during ozone therapy. Left. Diastolic velocity (in cm/s) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) increased by 33% at the end of session #3 (P < 0.001), and an 18% increase persisted for 1 week after session #3 (P = 0.023). Right. Systolic velocity in MCA increased by 22% at the end of session #3 (P = 0.001), and a 15% increase persisted for 1 week after session #3 (P = 0.035). The error bars are the 95% confidence intervals. Significant differences (P < 0.05) are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Figure 2

Carotid blood flow during ozone therapy. Blood flow quantification (in ml/min) in the common carotid artery (CCA) increased by 75% at the end of session #3 (P < 0.001), and a 29% increase persisted for 1 week after session #3 (P = 0.039). The error bars are the 95% confidence intervals. Significant differences (P < 0.05) are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Figure 3

Relationship between baseline blood flow and age. Baseline values of the common carotid artery (CCA) blood flow were inversely correlated with the age of the patients (r = 0.825; P < 0.001). A lower blood flow was observed in older patients.

Figure 4

Relationship between age and blood flow increase post-ozone therapy. The percentage increase in CCA blood flow 1 week after session #3 was directly correlated with age (r = 0.735; P = 0.004). A higher increase was observed after ozone therapy in older patients.

Figure 5

Relationship between the baseline blood flow and its increase post ozone therapy. The correlation in CCA blood flow between baseline values and the percentage increase 1 week after session #3 was highly significant (r = 0.691; P = 0.009), i.e., there is a higher percentage increase in CCA corresponding to a lower initial blood flow. Note: the percentages under 100% indicate a decrease in blood flow at this time point.