New research conducted by researchers at Nanjing Medical University and published in the Journal of Biomedical Research explores how ozone therapy could help treat acute lung injuries caused by sepsis.
The findings highlight an innovative approach to tackling this complex and deadly condition by targeting a biological pathway to improve lung health and survival rates in preclinical models.
The word “ozone” is often associated with environmental conversations, particularly about the ozone layer and its role in protecting us from harmful UV radiation. But beyond the atmosphere, this unique form of oxygen is now making waves in the medical world as a potential game-changer in treating life-threatening conditions.
Why Sepsis is So Devastating
Sepsis is a severe reaction to infection that wreaks havoc on the body, often causing damage to vital organs like the lungs. Because of its severity, sepsis is a leading cause of death in hospitals, with the CDC finding that around 1.7 million American adults develop sepsis, with 350,000 of those individuals dying as a result. To treat sepsis infections, experts use antibiotics and other medicines but recommend as a general prevention to wash your hands often and clean cuts and injuries thoroughly.
Many sepsis patients can develop acute lung infections (ALI) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) both of which result in inflammation and fluid buildup in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe and reducing oxygen supply to the body. Despite advances in medicine, ALI and ARDS remain notoriously difficult to treat due to the underlying complexity of sepsis.
One of the key culprits in sepsis-induced lung damage is the overproduction of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). These web-like structures, created by immune cells to trap pathogens, can backfire by triggering excessive inflammation and worsening lung injury. The challenge for researchers over the years has been finding ways to control this destructive process without impairing the body’s ability to fight infections.
The Promise of Ozone Therapy
Medical ozone therapy has emerged as a potential solution for these infections, even though it’s currently considered an alternative medicine. Ozone has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immune-regulating properties, making it a potential versatile treatment for various conditions. It is typically administered in carefully controlled concentrations to ensure safety and effectiveness. Depending on the condition being treated, ozone therapy can be delivered via direct injection, intravenous infusion (by ozonating blood before reinfusing it), inhalation through specially designed devices, or topical application.
In the study, researchers found that ozone therapy reduced harmful NET formation. The formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) was measured using advanced imaging techniques and molecular markers. This helped quantify the reduction in excessive NETs after ozone therapy.
The new treatment not only reduced NET formation but also enhanced their clearance by activating a specific biological pathway known as the AMPK/SR-A1 axis. This pathway helps immune cells, particularly macrophages, clean up excessive NETs, restoring balance to the immune system and reducing inflammation in the lungs.
The research also revealed that the therapy’s effectiveness depends on a receptor called SR-A1. In mice that lacked this receptor, ozone therapy was unable to produce its beneficial effects, highlighting the critical role of this pathway in the treatment. Researchers found that mice treated with ozone therapy showed significant improvements in survival rates and lung function. Comprehensive tests demonstrated reduced inflammation, better blood flow, and healthier lung tissues, pointing to the potential for ozone therapy to address multiple aspects of lung infections simultaneously.
“This represents a promising new approach to critical care that could lead to better outcomes for patients suffering from sepsis,” said Dr. Wen-Tao Liu, the lead researcher, in a recent statement.
If these findings are confirmed in human clinical trials, medical ozone therapy could offer a much-needed lifeline for patients with sepsis-induced lung infections. Its ability to target the underlying causes of lung injury while improving overall immune function makes it a promising candidate for transforming how this condition is treated.
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry is the Science Communicator at JILA (a world-leading physics research institute) and a science writer at The Debrief. Follow and connect with her on BlueSky or contact her via email at kenna@thedebrief.org