While preparing for my recent lecture in Brazil on EBO2 (Extracorporeal Blood Oxygenation & Ozonation), I discovered fascinating research that sheds light on how ozone therapy works at the cellular level. The study “Ozonation of Whole Blood Results in an Increased Release of Microparticles from Blood Cells” reveals how ozone treatment stimulates the release of microparticles (MPs) – a form of autologous exosomes – from blood cells.
What Are Microparticles & Why Do They Matter?
Microparticles are small packets released from cells that carry important biological messages. These messengers transfer bioactive molecules including proteins, mRNAs, and microRNAs between cells. These tiny communicators play crucial roles in:
- Inflammatory responses
- Neo-angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels)
- Regulating blood clotting
- Fibrinolysis (clot breakdown)
- Tissue repair & wound healing
- Boosting immune system function
This emerging field of microparticle research closely relates to exosomes, representing an exciting frontier in regenerative medicine that could change how we approach healing.
The Study: How Ozone Affects Blood Cells
The research examined blood samples from healthy male participants under various conditions:
- Untreated (control) samples
- Aerated samples
- Low-dose ozone treatment
- High-dose ozone treatment
Using flow cytometry, researchers quantified microparticles and identified their cellular origins. The results were remarkable: ozone treatment significantly increased microparticle release compared to control and aerated samples, with higher ozone concentrations producing stronger effects.
Key Findings on Microparticle Release
The study showed significant increases in:
- Platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) – cell fragments that help with clotting
- Erythrocyte-derived microparticles (ErMPs) – cells that carry oxygen
This suggests that ozone’s oxidative properties trigger a controlled stress response in these cells, causing them to release more microparticles. Importantly, this affects only a small portion of your total blood cells–similar to how we prepare Platelet Lysate treatments–meaning a small number of microparticles delivers substantial healing benefits.
Therapeutic Benefits of Ozone-Induced Microparticles
When blood is treated with ozone, it stimulates the release of several important growth factors and cytokines:
- PDGF-B (Platelet-Derived Growth Factor): Helps with tissue repair & blood vessel formation
- TGF-β1 (Transforming Growth Factor): Supports wound healing & immune regulation
- IL-8 (Interleukin-8): Attracts immune cells to areas needing attention
- EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor): Promotes cell growth & tissue regeneration
Additionally, ozonation blood activates the cells lining your blood vessels, stimulating the release of Nitric Oxide (NO), one of the body’s most important signaling molecules. NO relaxes blood vessels, dilates vessel walls, and improves circulation in oxygen-derived tissues like those in the lower legs or eyes.
Safety Considerations: Effects on Blood Clotting
The researchers also checked whether ozone treatment affected blood clotting by measuring:
- How quickly blood clots form
- Whether clotting happens normally
- Levels of fibrinogen (a clotting protein)
- D-dimer (indicates clot breakdown)
While some changes were observed, all measurements stayed within normal ranges, indicating that ozone therapy doesn’t significantly disrupt normal blood clotting when properly administrated.
EBO2 vs. Traditional Autohemotherapy
It’s worth noting that EBO2 typically delivers better results than traditional autohemotherapy (when a smaller amount of blood is treated with ozone and reinjected). The findings from this research provide scientific support for explaining to patients that EBO2 can stimulate their body’s production of healing microparticles–adding another evidence-based benefit to this therapeutic approach.
This research highlights the dual nature of ozone therapy: it offers therapeutic benefits through immune system modulation and teaching cells to adapt to controlled oxidative stress, while also causing beneficial cellular changes. The findings underscore the importance of precisely controlled ozone dosages to balance effectiveness and safety.
For healthcare practitioners, this provides scientific validation to inform patients that EBO2 therapy stimulates the body’s natural production of healing microparticles–representing yet another benefit of this innovative technique.
-Dr. P
