Ozone in Medicine. The Low-Dose Ozone Concept. The Redox-Bioregulatory Effect as Prominent Biochemical Mechanism and the Role of Glutathione

Abstract

ABSTRACT In chronic inflammatory conditions and diseases accompanied by inflammation, the main indication range of systemically administered ozone, one basic mechanism of action has emerged following the low-dose ozone concept: Interference in the diverse biological redox equilibria, and its regulation at low concentrations. the very special role of the glutathione balance and its recovery. It starts with the oxidation of GSH (active form of glutathione) by “ozone peroxides”, and after a considerable number of regulatory processes and mechanisms, finally leads to the regulation of the glutathione balance GSH ⇋ GSSG itself, the most important intracellular antioxidant system. Typically, the upregulation of GSH is demonstrated here in aging processes, in rheumatoid arthritis, the protection of liver intoxication and in post COVID patients. From this perspective, the redox bioregulator ozone and its fundamental reactions are reconsidered in this article.