A Plausible “Penny” Costing Effective Treatment for Corona Virus – Ozone Therapy

In his recent review article [12], Rowen states: “OT may be ideal therapy for viruses. In order to successfully penetrate cells, many viruses require membrane glycoproteins to be in the reduced R-S-H form rather than oxidized (R-S-S-R)” Ozone inactivates many viruses directly. Norwalk, collophage MS3, hepatitis A, and poliovirus are dependent on reduced sulfhydryl groups[13-18].

“Reflecting on the reduction of “critical” disulfide bonds for vaccinia virus’ cellular entry, Ryser found that protein disulfide isomerase inhibitors limited HIV-1 entry into T cells [19].” Mirazmi, et al. found cytomegalovirus loses infectivity if its thiol groups are oxidized [20]. Re-reducing the oxidized thiols (by dithiothreitol) enabled the virus to regain 65% infectivity. HIV is dependent on reduced sulfhydryl groups for infectivity [21], as also reported for Ebola virus to enter cells [22]. Like Ebola, corona virus structure also has regions rich in cysteine [23], inclusive of the spike and envelope proteins [24].

Cysteine is an amino acid carrying a sulfhydryl (R-S-H) residue, also called a “thiol” group. Alterations of these residues have been found to “cripple” virus growth properties at least 2 logs lower than wild type virus. Active cysteine is essential for membrane fusion[25]. This is consistent with the sulfhydryl non-corona viral research discussed above. The redox status (reduced cysteine residues vs. oxidized residues) can “switch” protein activity to “on” or “off” [ 26].

Thiol S-H bonds are far weaker than the O-H bonds in alcohols, and vulnerable to oxygen based oxidants, which can oxidize the sulfur to sulfonic acid residues (R-SO-H). Viruses have a limited “shelf life” on surfaces. Coronaviruses reportedly retain infectivity up to 9 days on surfaces, temperature dependent, and are quickly inactivated by 3 oxidizing disinfectants [27]. Atmospheric oxygen may slowly degrade thiol groups, and more quickly at higher temperatures. Cysteine is highly vulnerable to oxidation to disulfide (R-S-S-R) or other residues; which effect will cripple its biochemical activity in proteins, altering their three-dimensional structure. Enzymes may become inactive when reduced thiols are oxidized. Ozone itself will oxidize SH groups instantly on contact. Knowing ozone extinguishes itself virtually instantly on contact with blood creating ozonides, one might then ask, “How will ozone reach deep reservoirs of virus?”

Ozonides are oxidants in their own right. They have a prolonged life according to the works of Bocci and Menendez, providing ongoing protection after a single treatment. These molecules are less reactive than ozone, but still possess oxidizing power and serve as biochemical signaling molecules modulating the immune system. Creating a more “oxidized” environment, ozone therapy may assist the body in inactivating thiol in viruses in blood and tissues. (Our immune system is well known to create reactive oxidant species, such as hydrogen peroxide, superoxide, nitric oxide, hypochlorous acid, etc. and even ozone itself as mentioned previously to defend against infection).

Viruses, unlike “living” cells, have no mechanism of self-repair. Ozone’s ability to inactivate cysteine dependent proteins was reported as an ozonide attack on cysteine-dependent papain, believed to inactivate the enzyme by oxidizing the active sulfhydryl group to sulfenate or sulfenic acid [28]. Furthermore, coronavirus spike protein is also rich in tryptophan [29], which is second to cysteine in vulnerability to oxidation [30].

Based on the foregoing Rowen surmised that ozone therapy might be the ideal treatment for deadly Ebola. On the invitation of the President of Sierra Leone, we traveled to the country in October, 2014 to bring ozone therapy for the epidemic. Our team treated 5 cases of Ebola, two in physicians, one in the female consort of a physician who died of the disease, and two exposed aides. All survived without any deterioration of symptoms after ozone therapy began, nor did they have any post Ebola complications. The epidemic claimed 60% of its victims and scarred survivors with a 70+% rate of complications [31]. The key method was directly administering oxygen/ozone gas intravenously (DIV), 20 cc at 55 mcg of ozone/cc of gas over a few minutes. The material cost is negligible, and leaves virtually no medical waste – only a small 27 g butterfly needle and its attached short tubing.

The treatment requires an ozone generator, medical grade compressed oxygen, a syringe (and a butterfly needle for DIV method). The generator can be run off a car battery in remote areas. Ozone therapy is exceptionally safe, with a reported complication rate of only 0.7 per 100,000 treatments. Most all untoward effects were found to be secondary to improper administration [32]. Direct intravenous gas administration does carry a risk of temporary chest tightness and cough, and can irritate veins. Compared to a lethal disease, however, it is a negligible price to pay. DIV oxygen has been routinely (and safely) used around the world for generations, with significant positive effects on modulating inflammation [33,34].

Oxygen is a metabolic gas and is rapidly consumed, unlike “air” which is 80% nitrogen. Another method of delivery is called “major autohemotherapy” (MAH). Blood is withdrawn into a bottle, ozone added, mixed, and the ozonated blood reinfused. However, considering that this method is both time consuming, requires large veins and has a large amount of medical waste, the DIV method may be preferable in epidemics.