Long-Term Safety of Systemic Ozone Therapy in a Patient With Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy, Lactic Acidosis, and Stroke-Like Episodes (MELAS)

A patient with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome, a rare mitochondrial disease characterized by myopathy, epilepsy, encephalopathy, acidosis, and recurrent cerebral ischemic episodes, underwent systemic hematogenous ozone therapy for 17 years. Despite advancements in the study of mitochondrial diseases, there are currently no available treatments for MELAS. The patient in this case has received over 280 sessions of systemic hematic ozone therapy since 2003 (from the age of 10 years) till the time of publication, without reporting any adverse effects, achieving a normal level of development considering the comorbidities. Possible mechanisms of action of systemic hematogenous ozone therapy include improved efficiency of the mitochondrial oxidative chain through the induction of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutases {SOD}, peroxidase). More studies are needed to evaluate the actual safety of long-term systemic hematogenous ozone therapy in patients with mitochondrial diseases.