The effects of oxygen-ozone therapy on regulatory T-cell responses in multiple sclerosis patients

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the protective covering of nerve fibres in the brain and spinal cord. A key part of keeping the immune system in check is a group of cells called regulatory T-cells (Tregs), which normally help maintain tolerance and prevent the body's immune response from turning on its own tissue. In MS, Treg numbers and function are often reduced, which is thought to contribute to ongoing inflammation and nerve damage. Researchers investigated whether oxygen-ozone therapy could influence Treg activity in people with MS, as part of a wider search for approaches that support immune regulation in the condition.

Study design

The study examined blood samples from patients with multiple sclerosis who received oxygen-ozone therapy (autohemotherapy, in which a small volume of the patient's own blood is treated with an oxygen-ozone mixture and reintroduced to the body). Researchers used flow cytometry to measure the frequency of circulating regulatory T-cells, and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to measure the expression of two molecules known to support Treg development, FoxP3 and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), along with two microRNAs, miR-17 and miR-146a, that help control Treg activity. Exact participant numbers and treatment protocol details were not able to be independently confirmed from the openly accessible parts of the publication at the time of writing.

Findings

Following oxygen-ozone therapy, the frequency of regulatory T-cells increased. Expression of FoxP3 and TGF-beta, both associated with the development and function of Tregs, was also higher. At the same time, expression of miR-17, a microRNA that suppresses Treg activity, decreased, while miR-146a, a microRNA linked to Treg suppressive function, increased. Together, these changes describe a shift towards a more tolerogenic (tolerance-supporting) immune profile following treatment.

What the authors concluded

The authors concluded that oxygen-ozone therapy influenced multiple molecular pathways involved in regulatory T-cell development and function, and suggested it may represent a therapeutic approach for reducing inflammation and supporting immune regulation in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Limitations of this study

This is a small, laboratory-focused immunological study measuring blood biomarkers rather than long-term clinical outcomes such as relapse rate or disability progression. The exact number of participants, whether a control group was included, and the precise ozone therapy protocol could not be independently verified from the sections of the publication accessible for this summary, as the full text sits behind a publisher paywall. The findings have not been independently replicated in a larger trial, and biomarker changes of this kind do not on their own confirm a clinically meaningful benefit. As with all research summarised here, this should be discussed with a qualified healthcare provider before making treatment decisions.