DECREASE OF BLOOD CHOLESTEROL AND STIMULATION OF ANTIOXIDATIVE RESPONSE IN CARDIOPATHY PATIENTS TREATED WITH ENDOVENOUS OZONE THERAPY

Patients with cardiac infarction show a decrease in glutathione peroxi dase and superoxide dismutase activities, which are beginners in the s cavenger processes of lipid peroxide and superoxide radicals, respecti vely. In this study, we investigate the effects of endovenous ozone th erapy on serum lipid pattern and on antioxidant defense system, such a s the glutathione redox one, in the blood of patients with myocardial infarct. Twenty-two patients who had an infarction, between 3 months a nd 1 year before the study, were treated with ozone by autohemotherapy during 15 sessions. A statistically significant decrease in plasma to tal cholesterol and low density lipoprotein was observed. High biologi cally significant increases on erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities were found. There was no change in plasma lipid peroxidation level. It was concluded that endov enous ozone therapy in patients with myocardial infarction has a benef icial effect on blood lipid metabolism, provoking the activation of an tioxidant protection system.