Ozone therapy and oxidative balance
How to Monitor the Biochemical Mechanisms of Ozone Therapy with Carratelli Panel Tests.
Oxygen-ozone therapy is based on the controlled use of a mixture of oxygen and ozone (O₃) capable of inducing a transient and modulated oxidative stimulus, according to a hormetic mechanism. Following administration, ozone rapidly reacts with plasma components, generating biologically active secondary oxidant species, including hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and lipid hydroperoxides. These molecules do not act as toxic agents, but as redox second messengers, capable of activating key intracellular pathways, particularly the Nrf2 system, responsible for the induction of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase, glutathione peroxidase). The biological effect of ozone therapy is therefore the result of a dynamic balance between the initial oxidative stimulus and the body’s adaptive response.
Precisely because of this redox-dependent nature, the efficacy and safety of ozone therapy are closely linked to the individual’s redox status. Patients with different baseline levels of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity can respond significantly differently to the same administration protocol. Excessive oxidative stimulation or, conversely, an insufficient biological response can compromise clinical outcomes. Hence the need for objective and continuous monitoring of oxidative balance, understood as the functional relationship between pro-oxidant load and biological antioxidant defenses, to rationally guide dosages, frequency, and duration of treatment.
The Diacron protocol for monitoring oxidative balance fits into this context, developed based on a thorough understanding of the biochemical processes involved in ozone therapy. The protocol integrates the d-ROMs Test, which quantifies circulating hydroperoxides as an indicator of pro-oxidant status, and the BAP Test, which measures the biological antioxidant capacity of plasma. The combined interpretation of these parameters allows for a comprehensive functional assessment of the patient’s redox status and allows for personalized ozone therapy in a scientifically sound manner, transforming biochemical monitoring into a clinical decision-making tool. The Diacron approach is not limited to measurement, but represents a true treatment management model, aimed at maximizing therapeutic efficacy and ensuring biological safety over time.
