Читать книгу Gas Biology Research in Clinical Practice - Группа авторов - Страница 40

Ozone is a triatomic molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms. Ozone is a pale blue gas with a sharp, cold, irritating odor and is produced naturally by electrical discharges following thunderstorms or ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted from the sun. Ozone is present in low concentrations throughout the Earth’s atmosphere; however, an ozone layer exists between 10 and 50 km above from the surface of the earth and plays a very important role filtering UV rays which is critical for the maintenance of biological balance in the biosphere. Ozone gas has a high oxidation potential and is widely used in treatment of water in aquariums and fish ponds to minimize bacterial growth, control parasites, and eliminate transmission of some diseases. Ozone inhalation (0.1-1 ppm) can be toxic to the pulmonary system and cause upper respiratory irritation, rhinitis, headache, and occasionally nausea and vomiting. However, ozone has been used as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of different diseases by creating resistance against oxidative stress via inducing an antioxidative system. Ozone, administered by rectal insufflation, prior to ischemia/reperfusion injury, prevents the damage induced by ROS and attenuates renal and hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury [28]. Medical applications of blood ozonation via extracorporeal blood oxygenation and ozonation was found to be safe and effective in treating peripheral artery disease in clinical trials [29, 30].