RoB wrote:Good posts GB, it is also a profound simplification of the immune system to state

Your white blood cells produce a little hydrogen peroxide, and they bathe the germs in the peroxide, and this kills the germs! It has always been peroxide that naturally cured infection in your body!

Letter

Nature 459, 996-999 (18 June 2009) | doi:10.1038/nature08119;

A tissue-scale gradient of hydrogen peroxide mediates rapid wound detection in zebrafish

Philipp Niethammer1,4, Clemens Grabher2,4,5, A. Thomas Look2,3 & Timothy J. Mitchison1

1. Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston,
2. Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
3. Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
4. These authors contributed equally to this work.
5. Present address: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH, Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany.

Correspondence to: Philipp Niethammer1,4 Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to P.N. (Email: Philipp_Niethammer@hms.harvard.edu).

Abstract

Barrier structures (for example, epithelia around tissues and plasma membranes around cells) are required for internal homeostasis and protection from pathogens. Wound detection and healing represent a dormant morphogenetic program that can be rapidly executed to restore barrier integrity and tissue homeostasis. In animals, initial steps include recruitment of leukocytes to the site of injury across distances of hundreds of micrometres within minutes of wounding. The spatial signals that direct this immediate tissue response are unknown. Owing to their fast diffusion and versatile biological activities, reactive oxygen species, including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), are interesting candidates for wound-to-leukocyte signalling. Here we probe the role of H2O2 during the early events of wound responses in zebrafish larvae expressing a genetically encoded H2O2 sensor1. This reporter revealed a sustained rise in H2O2 concentration at the wound margin, starting approx3 min after wounding and peaking at approx20 min, which extended approx100–200 mum into the tail-fin epithelium as a decreasing concentration gradient. Using pharmacological and genetic inhibition, we show that this gradient is created by dual oxidase (Duox), and that it is required for rapid recruitment of leukocytes to the wound. This is the first observation, to our knowledge, of a tissue-scale H2O2 pattern, and the first evidence that H2O2 signals to leukocytes in tissues, in addition to its known antiseptic role.

2. SUMMARY

2.1 Main risks and target organs

The dissociation of hydrogen peroxide is a violent and
exothermic reaction. Ingestion results in gastrointestinal
irritation, the severity of which depends on the
concentration of the solution. There is also a risk of gas
embolism. A number of deaths have been reported in the
literature. In most cases the exposures were to concentrated
solutions of 30 to 40%.

Ingestion of the more concentrated solutions (&gt10%, but
particularly 30 to 40% and above) should be regarded as
serious because of the risk of more severe irritation. The
risk of gas embolism is probably also increased with the
concentrated solutions, although a large quantity of a dilute
solution may also produce embolism. Death may occur within
minutes of ingestion.

2.2 Summary of clinical effects

Ingestion: These effects may occur with solutions of
3% but usually only where a large quantity has been ingested,
effects are generally more severe if a concentrated solution
has been ingested.

Vomiting (the vomitus may be frothy due to the liberation of
oxygen - risk of aspiration), haematemesis, 'burningœ throat
and gastric distension (due to the release of oxygen).
Lethargy, coma, convulsions, shock, and respiratory arrest
have been reported. Gastrointestinal bleeding and burns to
the stomach and duodenum may occur. These are usually not
severe and resolve with symptomatic treatment.

Gas embolism has been reported in adults and children. In
severe cases ischaemic ECG changes and EMD (electromechanical
dissociation) may be observed because of embolisation of the
heart restricting blood flow.

Inhalation: Transient dyspnoea and cough, with concentrated
solutions there may be more severe irritation and
inflammation of the respiratory tract

Dermal: Irritant to the skin with paraesthesia, blistering
and whitening; solutions &gt10% may cause burns. Bleaching of
the skin usually resolved within a few hours.


Ocular: Irritation with a burning sensation, conjunctival
hyperaemia, lacrimation and severe pain which resolves within
a few hours. With more concentrated solutions effects may
take up to 24 hours to resolve. There are rare cases of
temporary cornal injury resulting from application of 3%
solution to the eye (on contact lenses) including punctuate
staining of the cornea, decreased vision, cornal opacity and
oedema.

Intravenous: vomiting, pain at injection site, ventricular
fibrillation, embolism of heart and lung tissue, haemolytic
anaemia, renal failure and death.

Rectal: rectal bleeding, nausea, distension and difficulty
urinating.

2.3 Diagnosis

Gastrointestinal (GI) irritation possibly accompanied by
vomiting of frothy material and gas embolism can help the
diagnosis if the exposure is not known. Whitening of the skin
and mucous membranes and pain may be signs of exposure.

7. TOXICOLOGY

7.1 Mode of action

7.2 Toxicity

7.2.1 Human data

7.2.1.1 Adults

The dissociation of hydrogen
peroxide is a violent and exothermic
reaction. Ingestion results in
gastrointestinal irritation, the severity of
which depends on the concentration of the
solution. There is also a risk of gas
embolism. A number of deaths have been
reported in the literature. In most cases
the exposures were to concentrated solutions
of 30 to 40%.


Ingestion of the more concentrated solutions
(&gt10%, but particularly 30 to 40% and above)
should be regarded as serious because of the
risk of more severe irritation. The risk of
gas embolism is probably also increased with
the concentrated solutions, although a large
quantity of a dilute solution may also
produce embolism (Cina et al., 1994). Death
may occur within minutes of ingestion
(Dickson and Caravati, 1994).

Most cases of ingestion of hydrogen peroxide
result in only mild effects. Of 270 cases of
hydrogen peroxide ingestion in one study only
24% required medical referral (Dickson and
Caravati, 1994).

Cerebral infarction, believed to have
resulted from gas embolisation of the
cerebral vasculature, has been reported in an
84 year old man who took 30 ml of 35%
hydrogen peroxide diluted in 100 to 300 mL of
water (Sherman et al., 1994). Multiple brain
embolism occurred in a 63 year old who
ingested 120mL of 35% solution. He recovered
(Ijichi et al., 1997).

Fatal doses:
Ingestion:
Ingestion of 240 mL of 35% hydrogen peroxide
in a 49 year old female caused death in 78
hours later (Litovitz et al., 1995).

Intravenous:
0.8mL of a 35% solution diluted in 200mL
normal saline (0.14% of hydrogen peroxide)
once daily for 5 days in a 50 year old male
(Leikin et al., 1993).

2mL (strength unknown) in a dialysis catheter
caused abdominal pain, hypertension, collapse
and coma within 1 hour. She made some
improvement with hyperbaric oxygen by the 8th
day, then had a cardiac arrest and
convulsions. She recovered in the following
week and then had another cardiac arrest and
died 19 days post-injection (Litovitz et al.,
1997).

7.2.1.2 Children

Fatal doses:
Ingestion:
225 mL of 3% in a 16 month old, he was found
dead 10 hours later (Cina et al., 1994).
About 100 to 170 mL of 35% in a 2 year old,
taken off life-support 4 days later with
hypoxic encephalopathy (Christensen et al.,
1992).

Intravenous:
100mL of 3% hydrogen peroxide in a 7 month
old child (Lubec et al., 1996).

Oxygenation Therapy:
Unproven Treatments for Cancer and AIDS
By Saul Green, Ph.D.

The cornerstone of oxygenation therapy is the presumption that human disease, including cancer, is caused by a deficit of tissue oxygen. According to proponents, hypoxia results in anaerobic fermentation, a loss of capacity for oxidative detoxification of toxins and metabolic products, and failure of immune killing of invading bacteria and viruses. To restore ability to carry out these functions, oxygenation promoters propose using chemicals they claim will release oxygen in tissue or act as germicides in vivo. Some of the claims are based on the concepts of William F. Koch (1885-1962) [1] and Otto Warburg (1883-1970) [2].
History of Oxygen Therapies

William F. Koch, a Detroit physician, theorized in 1919 that cancer was caused by a metabolic defect brought on by a single toxin produced by an injury or irritation. He proposed that toxins produced during metabolism and by bacteria were normally burned off during oxidation of carbohydrates. If the toxins persisted, they damaged the toxin-burning system and converted a normally present "harmless germ" into a virulent cancer-causing one. To cure cancer, Koch invented an "antitoxin to cancer" which he said was a mixture of an oxidizing catalyst he called glyoxylide (O=C=C=O) and a chemical called l:4 parabenzoquinone. A one-million-fold dilution [3] of this solution was given to patients by injection every six months, to "stimulate all the body's oxidation reactions to cure the cancer and a host of other diseases." Koch never revealed the process for the manufacture of glyoxylide, nor did he show it to exist.

Does Koch's glyoxylide exist? The molecule glyoxylide has been a subject of investigation by chemists including H. Staudinger in 1913 [4] to Berson in 1986 [5]. Recently Sulzle [6] reviewed the literature and considered the theoretical possibilities for the existence of a compound like glyoxylide. He found that all efforts to prepare, isolate, or chemically identify this compound failed. His studies on the theoretical physical chemistry of glyoxylide showed that the substance described by Koch cannot exist in nature. This, along with Jenssen's failure to find anything in Koch's "medicine" [3], confirms the conclusion that the glyoxylide which Koch claims to have invented did not exist.

Otto Warburg professed that the cancer problem could be solved if one could identify a biochemical difference between the energy-producing systems of normal cells (controlled growth) and cancer cells (uncontrolled growth.) His research with tissue slices [7] led to the discovery of oxygen-transferring enzymes in cellular respiration, and for this he won a Nobel Prize (1931). In 1944 he won a second Nobel Prize for identifying the enzymes that transfer hydrogen in metabolism [8]. But his research never showed that oxygen use by normal and cancer cells was different. What he did find was that cancer cells produced lactate from glucose in the presence of oxygen whereas normal cells only produced lactate from glucose in the absence of oxygen. This observation led him to conclude that energy metabolism in cancer cells was defective [9].

By 1960, research had identified nearly all energy-producing metabolic pathways in both normal and cancer cells and showed that energy-producing systems in normal cells were the same as those found in cancer cells [10]. Despite this, Warburg insisted until his death in 1970 that the cause of cancer was "inferior" energy of anaerobic metabolism.

Oxygenation proponents follow the lines of Koch and of Warburg. They claim that toxins that adulterate processed foods, the environment, and medications damage the oxidative metabolism of normal cells which then regress into anaerobic metabolism in which an inferior energy is produced, resulting in cancer. Normal functions such as digestion, elimination, and immune function are also claimed to benefit from treatment with pure, all-natural, poison-free nutrients, vitamin and mineral supplements, and oxygen-yielding substances that restore and replenish the oxygen needed by tissues for burning off toxins. Hydrogen peroxide and ozone are the substances recommended [11-13].
Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide, H2O2 [14], was discovered in 1818. It is present in nature in trace amounts. Hydrogen peroxide is unstable, it decomposes violently when in direct contact with rough surfaces or traces of organic or particulate matter. Light, agitation, heating, or chemical substances like carbonates, proteins, chlorides, charcoal, and iron all accelerate the rate of hydrogen peroxide decomposition in solution. One volume of 30% hydrogen peroxide solution will yield 100 volumes of oxygen gas when it decomposes. At 30-35 %, so-called "food grade" hydrogen peroxide is caustic, producing severe skin burns. It can start a fire if allowed to dry on a combustible surface.

Among the earliest proponents of the use of hydrogen peroxide as a treatment for degenerative diseases like cancer was Father Richard Willhelm, [15]. In the 1940's, while working with a microbiologist at the Mayo Clinic, he "learned that bacteria can gnaw at the joints, cause inflammatory arthritis, give off calcium waste that cements bones together, lodge in the liver and kidney and form stones, leave hard deposits on walls of arteries, short circuit the energy in the brain, cut off the blood supply to cells and cause a loss of oxidative metabolism." [15] From Koch and Warburg's work he heard that "cancer doesn't like oxygen," and because he knew that hydrogen peroxide gave off oxygen when it decomposed, he concluded that it should be used to treat diseases which were the result of "inadequate oxygen metabolism." Willhelm referred to hydrogen peroxide as "God's given immune system." [15]

Willhelm met Walter Grotz, a retired US postal system employee, in 1982. When Grotz complained about the pain that his arthritic condition was causing, Willhelm suggested that each day for several weeks Grotz drink from l to 7 glasses of pure water to which a few drops of "food grade" 35% hydrogen peroxide had been added. Grotz said that doing this made him pain free, and he became Willhelms disciple. As a result of their travels, spreading word about peroxide, peroxide became popular for many other uses such as misting flowers, disinfecting aquariums, oxygenating garden soil, bathing pets, treating livestock and fowl, and washing vegetables and farm crops [16]. Most often however it was promoted as a treatment for human illness because, as Willhelm put it, "hydrogen peroxide joyfully relieves asthma, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, emphysema, cancer, the common cold, herpes, candidiasis, angina, malaria, gingivitis, tumors, warts, lupus, psoriasis, moles, amoebiasis and hemorrhoids." [l6,17]

Proponents [11,12] also suggested that patients treat themselves at home by drinking hydrogen peroxide, using it for brushing their teeth, enemas, high colonics, or douches, soaking in a bath with it, or massaging it into the skin. Instructions for preparing the peroxide to be drunk are given in newsletters from "health food" companies that sell what is called "food grade" hydrogen peroxide [18]. One proponent states [18] that it takes one week to "clean out" both the "good and bad" flora in the stomach: "When hydrogen peroxide comes in contact with virus and streptococcus (the bad flora) in your stomach, it liberates free oxygen. If your stomach feels queasy after you drink the (peroxide) solution, the peroxide is seeking out and destroying virus and streptococci. The normal flora, the good ones, can then be replaced by eating plain yogurt and health food supplements that contain acidophilus, bifidus and bulgaricus."

Proponents suggest that hydrogen peroxide can also be administered by soaking for 30 minutes each day in half a bathtub of water containing a pint of 35% "food grade" peroxide, by spraying a 3% solution of "food grade" hydrogen peroxide on ones body, massaging it into the skin three times a day, and by rubbing a gel containing 35% "food grade" hydrogen peroxide, glycerin, and Aloe Vera into the skin [18]. Wilhelm describes a "do it yourself" recipe for making hydrogen peroxide pills for those who are unable to drink it. It calls for mixing baking soda and food grade 35% hydrogen peroxide, allowing the mixture to dry overnight and placing the pulverized powder into capsules. The patient takes three pills per day [11].

Another proponent proposes intravenous infusion of hydrogen peroxide as oxidative therapy [l3]. "There is no distinct class of patients that are [sic] best suited for intravenous hydrogen peroxide therapy because of the wide variety of pathological conditions that improve from oxidative detoxification, the oxygenation of hypoxic tissues and the stimulation of the immune system that an intravenous infusion of hydrogen peroxide induces. Specific benefits are seen in patients with peripherovascular, cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases, arrhythmias, emphysema, asthma, cancer, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson's disease, migraine, cluster and vascular headaches, allergies, and pain. There may even be a reversal of atherosclerosis due to the action of the peroxide on the lipid material in blood vessel walls" [13,19].

In directions for injecting hydrogen peroxide intravenously one is instructed to prepare 100 ml aliquots of sterile l5% hydrogen peroxide infusion solution made from 30% "food grade" hydrogen peroxide and sterile water to be stored frozen in sealed vials. For injection, the stock is diluted with 5% dextrose to give the final 0.075 % product [19].
Ozone

Ozone was discovered and named by Schonbein in l839. It is formed when an electric spark or ultra-violet (UV) light splits an oxygen molecule into two highly reactive oxygen atoms. Each of these combines with intact oxygen to form the tri-atomic ozone, O3. Ozone is one of the most powerful natural oxidizing agents known because of the highly reactive free radicals it generates on decomposition. These free radicals can destroy many natural biological substances [20]. The discovery of inert plastics made ozones medical applications possible. In the late 1930's, German doctors began to use it in experiments on patients who had a variety of infections and wounds [20-22]. Ozone gas might be bubbled directly into the patients blood, it might be bubbled into blood taken from the patient after which the blood would be re-infused, it might be bubbled into a solution to be used in an enema, colonic irrigation, or douche, or it might be pumped directly into the rectum. Except for situations in which ozone was used topically, the determination of effectiveness was depicted by patient testimonials.

When ozone is introduced into blood, it reacts with water in red cells producing hydrogen peroxide. This aqueous decomposition of ozone also produces bactericidal and membrane-damaging free radicals [21]. Ozone used for treatment [24] is prepared by creating an electric spark in a chamber of pure oxygen. The final mixture contains between 0.l and 5.0% ozone, concentrations that are equivalent to from l.0 ppm to 50 ppm ozone in pure oxygen.

Ozone generated this way has a half life of 45 minutes at room temperature, and under ideal conditions of sterility, dryness, and cleanliness, it must be prepared on site each time it is used. A two-hour exposure to 1200 ppm ozone is needed to kill microorganisms on open surfaces and in water [25]. Concentrations of ozone recommended are: for topical treatment of superficial wounds, 70 to 100 ppm; for slow-healing ulcers, between 40 and 70 ppm; and when oxygenating effects are needed to treat diseases associated with hypoxia, from l to 40 ppm [26].

Ozone has been proposed as a treatment for AIDS [24,27-29]. "Results of experiments indicate that medical ozone has the ability to inactivate extra-cellular HIV-l in serum-supplemented tissue culture fluids and to inhibit the growth of HIV-l at concentrations that are benign to cells in tissue culture." However, HIV is susceptible to inactivation by many relatively innocuous compounds, and claims for benefiting AIDS patients are unconfirmed [ 26,30,31].

In 1993 testimony before Senator Harkin's Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Ed McCabe, a promoter of ozone, stated, "644 German ozone therapists successfully treated 384,775 patients with 5,579,238 doses of ozone with no ill effects. Thousands of published medical papers contain proof of ozones effectiveness in vivo. Numerous US physicians have converted hundreds of AIDS patients from HIV sero-positive to HIV sero-negative status using ozone. Help is available to AIDS patients right now but the medical establishment is ignoring it." [31] No evidence for the claims exist in reliable scientific literature.
Critique

Does anaerobic metabolism cause cancer?

In a 1961 monograph [10], Aisenberg reviewed and analyzed the subject of energy metabolism in normal and tumor tissues. He concluded that most carcinogens are not respiratory poisons; most respiratory poisons are not carcinogens; oxygen neither prevents nor inhibits cancer growth; tumor cells grow optimally in tissue culture dishes in atmosphere containing 20% oxygen; tumors grow rapidly in tissues that are well supplied with oxygenated blood; absence of oxygen does not stimulate tumor growth in vitro or in vivo; agents effective against cancer interfere with DNA synthesis, not with aerobic metabolism; tumors do not get a significant amount of their energy from anaerobic metabolism; tumors can and do produce energy by an oxygen-driven metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.

Since the mid 1960s, information amassed has identified cancer initiation, promotion, and progression. Alteration of genetic regulation through DNA damage, oncogene activation, and inhibitor dysregulation give rise to abnormally proliferating cancer cells. There is no evidence of "poisoning" in the respiratory enzyme systems of tumor tissues. Although Warburg discovered some differences in metabolism between normal and cancer cells, research did not bear out what he considered to be the "primary cause of cancer," i.e., the replacement of respiration by fermentation.[7].

How much of an effect can "oxidative therapy" have in treatment of disease?

The transfer of atmospheric oxygen in the lungs to tissues involves oxygen transport from alveoli to hemoglobin in red cells to tissue cells for use in oxidative metabolism. When oxygen is used as a drug, its pharmacological properties must be defined so that the hazards that attend its use can be monitored [32]. Under normal circumstances, each breath of air taken at sea level has a volume of about 500ml. Slightly less than 20% of this is oxygen. The pressure of air at sea level is 760 mm of mercury (Hg), and the partial pressure of oxygen is about l60 mm Hg. When inspired air reaches the alveoli, it mixes with the gases already present. The partial pressure of oxygen in the alveolar sac is about 100 mm of Hg. Since the partial pressure of oxygen in the pulmonary arteries in the alveolar membranes is about 40 mm of Hg, the oxygen in the alveoli diffuses across the alveolar membrane and into the venous blood. There it is taken up by red cell hemoglobin [32].

Under normal conditions, hemoglobin in blood leaving the lungs is 98% saturated with oxygen. The hemoglobin in one liter of blood can carry about 200 ml of oxygen, and about 50 ml of this is extracted each time it passes through tissue capillaries. The metabolism of a normal 60 kg adult requires delivery of between 200 and 250 ml of oxygen each minute [32]. Since the amount of hydrogen peroxide that is infused into a patient during one "oxidative therapy" session, yields a total of 100 ml of oxygen per day, the treatment can make no significant contribution ones oxygen requirements [33].

Is hydrogen peroxide bactericidal and viricidal?

Phagocytosis is the principal mechanism for the removal of pathological bacteria and fungi [34]. Activated phagocytic cells are drawn to the site of infection, attach to the infectious organisms, and ingest them. The killing of the organisms takes place inside the phagocytic cell. Enzymes generate superoxide free radicals which are fused by superoxide dismutase to produce hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide oxidizes cellular chloride in the cell to the killing chloride free radical.

Proponents of oxidative therapy propose that hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria because of their low levels of peroxide-destroying enzymes. But there is no evidence of oxygen intolerance in anaerobic organisms. Although proponents allude to a variety of antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-parasitic actions of hydrogen peroxide [13], they admit that no peroxide-related germicidal activity is found when hydrogen peroxide is infused into patients infected with a variety of organisms [19]. The absence of hydrogen peroxide bactericidal activity has been confirmed by independent investigators [35]. For instance, there is no bactericidal when hydrogen peroxide is infused into blood of rabbits infected with peroxide-sensitive E. coli.

Moreover, increasing the concentration of peroxide ex-vivo in rabbit or human blood containing E.coli produced no evidence of bactericidal activity. Lack of effect of high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide was directly related to the presence of the peroxide-destroying enzyme, catalase. To have any effect, high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide would have to be in contact with the bacteria for significant periods of time. But the large amounts of hydrogen peroxide-destroying enzymes normally present in the blood makes it impossible for peroxide to exist in blood for more than a few seconds. One must conclude that hydrogen peroxide introduced into the blood stream by injection or infusion cannot act as a germicide in human blood.

Hydrogen peroxide does participate in the bactericidal processes within activated phagocyte cells. But when it escapes from the cells into the adjacent extra-cellular space during the inflammatory process, it becomes a major contributor to the tissue damage seen in lung disease, malignancies, and hemolysis. The presence of pharmacological concentrations of hydrogen peroxide in the blood is clearly a double-edged sword which can easily cause as much harm as it can cause good [36].

Can infused hydrogen peroxide raise blood oxygen levels?

Hemoglobin in red cells of arterial blood gives up about 25% of its oxygen when it passes through the tissues, so the hemoglobin of the venous blood leaving the tissues is oxygen-poor. When hydrogen peroxide is injected into venous blood, the oxygen released by the action of catalase is taken up by oxygen-poor hemoglobin. When this venous blood reaches the lungs, it is carrying more oxygenated-hemoglobin than normal. Less oxygen from inspired air is required to saturate it. When arterial blood leaves the lungs it is almost fully (98%) saturated with oxygen and so it becomes impossible for the intravenous infusion of hydrogen peroxide advocated by "oxygenation" proponents to further increase the amount of oxygen carried to the tissues.

The infusion of hydrogen peroxide into arterial blood is a completely different situation. A theoretical model [37] predicts the effects of an infusion of a hydrogen peroxide solution into arterial blood. Hemoglobin in arterial blood is already saturated with oxygen, so the oxygen released from hydrogen peroxide would not be taken up by hemoglobin. Therefore it would go into plasma. But the process of solution is slow, so undissolved oxygen gas could linger in the blood as bubbles for as long as 30 minutes. In the model, Johnson used 0.12% peroxide to produce a final level of 0.006 volumes peroxide per 100 ml in rabbit blood. Although this amount of hydrogen peroxide released 3.0 ml of oxygen gas in every 100 ml of arterial blood, most of the gas could be taken up by the small amount of unsaturated hemoglobin (2%) in the arterial blood. If however, the hydrogen peroxide content of the blood was doubled, 6.0 ml of oxygen gas would be generated per 100 ml of blood, and this could not be handled by available hemoglobin. Undissolved arterial oxygen would then create gas embolism. Consistent with this prediction for peroxide levels higher than 0.006 volumes percent, Johnson found that at 0.01 volumes 0.12% peroxide, oxygen gas embolism resulted in complete shut down of capillary blood flow in the treated rabbits. [37]

Can oxygen dissolved in the plasma support metabolic needs?

When little or no unsaturated hemoglobin is present,100 ml of plasma at100 mm of ambient (alveolar) oxygen pressure can hold 0.3 ml of oxygen in simple solution. This means that the total amount of oxygen that could be dissolved in all of the plasma in a 60 kg adult, would be about 20 ml. Since there is no physiologic mechanism by which oxygen dissolved in the plasma can be extracted, and since tissues require 200 to 250 ml of oxygen per minute [28], the 20 ml of oxygen dissolved in plasma can be of little use in relieving tissue hypoxia or for supporting aerobic energy metabolism [14,32,33].

Is ingestion or infusion of hydrogen peroxide safe?

At the end of his paper on how to infuse hydrogen peroxide intravenously, Farr cautions that the capacity of the lungs to allow gas embolism diffusion is limited. A continuous infusion of peroxide that results in 0.01 volume per 100 ml blood can cause an arterial gas embolism and irreversible lung damage [19]. That such adverse reactions do occur is clear from reports in the medical literature. These incidents include: oxygen gas emboli, necrosis and gangrene following peroxide enemas or colonic lavage [37-41,]; emphysema following peroxide mouth wash or gargle [42]; and ulcerative colitis, gas embolism, and emphysema following deep wound irrigation [43-45]. Peroxide ingestion results in respiratory arrest, seizures, gas embolism in the portal circulation, shock, and acute hemolysis. [46-48] Stroke and multiple cerebral infarcts [49] and venous embolism follow irrigation of anal fistula and irrigation of surgical wounds [20]. In contrast, the literature published by proponents of oxygenation therapy contain no report of adverse clinical incidents resulting from ingestion or infusion of hydrogen peroxide.

Is ozone effective against HIV?

In 1991, Wells et al [25] reported that gaseous ozone inactivated cell-free HIV-l in cell-free culture medium. Using escalating concentrations of ozone, they showed that a l200 ppm dose delivered into the solution for two hours, reduced the number of infectious viruses by about l011 and reduced detectable virions about 85%. However, there was also a significant reduction in infectivity after virus exposure to nitrogen. Other factors influencing the rate and degree of inactivation of HIV-I by ozone were protein and plasma components in the culture medium. (HIV is known to be inactivated by a host of relatively inactive substances.) While ozone might be useful in rendering commercial blood products free of infectious organisms, more extensive analyses of the HIV-I life cycle was needed before ozone's usefulness as an in vivo anti-retroviral agent could be defined. Poiesz, Wells' co-author, wrote, " No further in vitro work has been done and to my knowledge no in vivo work has been done." [50]

Carpendale and Freeberg [28] studied the effect of 4 ppm ozone on HIV-l suspensions in vitro. Ozone was rapidly degraded by serum components in the culture medium. They theorized that the virus inactivation must have been caused by unknown ozone reaction products. Reaction products of ozone and fatty acids called ozonides have been studied, and some are known to mimic the cellular effects of ozone [51,52]. But Carpendale et al did not report on the effects of ozonides on HIV in suspension.

Does autohemotherapy kill or inactivate HIV-I ?

Ozone has been used to treat infections for nearly 50 years. For the most part the treatments were based on impressions from uncontrolled anecdotal clinical experiences reported in German newspapers, magazines, and proponent newsletters. With the coming of the AIDS pandemic in the 1980s, some physicians offered ozone treatment. Organizations began promoting the medical use of ozone at international meetings. The majority of the papers presented at these meetings referred to the germicidal activity of high concentrations of ozone in vitro, but no convincing evidence was presented that autohemotherapy with ozone at concentrations ranging from 0.l to 5.0 ppm had an effect against HIV in AIDS patients.

In 1991, Garber et al [53] carried out the first well controlled clinical study of auto-hemotherapy for AIDS. These investigators first tested for safety in a Phase I trial and found no toxicity after 12 weeks of treatment. In the Phase II trial which followed, AIDS patients were entered into a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded program designed to compare the effects of unprocessed or ozone-enriched blood infused intermittently over a period of 8 weeks. All patients had CD-4 T-cell counts between 200-400 cells/ul. The results showed that ozonated blood produced no significant hematologic, biochemical, or clinical toxicological effects when compared with controls. CD-4 T-cell counts, interleukin 2, gamma interferon, beta-2 microglobulin , neopterin, and p-24 antigen were unaltered. These results have been replicated and confirmed by independent investigators [54].

In May 1995, the 12th World Congress of the International Ozone Association convened in Lille, France. Of the 42 papers presented, none addressed the effectiveness of autohemotherapy in the treatment of AIDS [55]. In August, 1995, Prof. V. Bocci, one of the organizers of that meeting, wrote:

My positon is based on theoretical grounds that ozone autohemotherapy may be useful only because there is no valid alternative. From a practical point of view I have great difficulty organizing clinical trials. I have frequently expressed my deep concern over the irresponsible, uncontrolled, and unscrupulous information that is being spread around. You must understand that I am not responsible for what is being done or said by people in the U.S. Personally, my interest is in investigating whether properly performed autohemotherapy can be useful for the treatment of chronic viral diseases and other pathologies. As of this time there is no evidence of its validity [56].

In reviewing the clinical histories of AIDS patients who were being treated with ozone, H. S. Fuessl, leading German AIDS specialist [57], states:

After observing ozone treated AIDS patients for long periods of time, we noted that patients who had just started on the ozone therapy showed some increases in CD-4 T-cell counts. But a few weeks later their CD-4 T-cell counts not only returned to their original low levels but in many cases went lower as the clinical picture clearly worsened. Two patients died before our eyes from opportunistic infections soon after beginning the ozone therapy. Those of us who treat HIV infected patients on a daily basis recognize that monitoring the changes of the CD-4 T-cell counts over a short period of time, does not accurately reflect the effect of the treatment or the prognosis of the patient. After following a number of AIDS patients that were receiving ozone therapy, I recognized that increases in the CD-4 T-cell counts could occur in any patient, at any time. But it did not mean that HIV was being killed or that the infection was being arrested. In spite of this knowledge, CD-4 T-cell counts are still the primary diagnostic and prognostic tools used by ozone therapists. (translated from the German by S. Green)

Is autohemotherapy approved by German medical authorities?

Autohemotherapy proponents refer to the widespread use of this treatment in Germany, implying that it is sanctioned by the German medical establishment. Dr. Barbara Burkhard of the Medical Office of Patients Insurance-Bavaria (Munich, Germany) writes, "Ozone therapy is not approved by the medical establishment in our country. The National Health Insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) is not allowed to pay for it. In the book of laws on this subject (Sozial Gesetzbuch V), the obligations for insurance institutions are fixed. They are only required to pay for methods that are in accordance with generally accepted medical knowledge and which have made proven contributions in medicine. Doctors who have contracts with health insurance companies only get reimbursement for treatments that are approved by the Bundesausschub der Artz und Krankenkassen. This committee is governed by social insurance regulations and issues the rules for diagnostic and therapeutic medical methods. In an Appendix to their book of rules, methods not approved are listed. Ozone therapy is number 3 on that list." [58]

Are there adverse effects of the use of autohemotherapy?

As of 8/14/1995, a search of the Medline, Health, AIDSline, and Cancerlit databases back to 1966 turned up more than 100 papers citing adverse effects in humans or in experimental animals caused by ozone or ozone reaction products. There were no references to papers in peer-reviewed medical journals that reported beneficial effects when ozone was used as a treatment for viral infections.

How are AIDS patients sold ozone autohemotherapy?

The idea that infusion of ozone-treated blood can cure AIDS patients is being marketed despite is lack of efficacy. This was clear from the testimony of Mr. Ed McCabe, before Senator Harkin's subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate, 1993 [31]. After accusing the medical establishment of intentionally ignoring an effective treatment for AIDS, McCabe declared that he had proof that help is available to AIDS patients right now and that thousands had been successfully treated. But McCabe did not give the Committee references by which his proof could be verified, and he did not identify any of the medical papers he said contained the evidence of autohemotherapy's effectiveness. He showed no proof that US physicians had converted hundreds of AIDS patients from HIV positive to HIV negative status through autohemotherapy; he did not identify how, where, or when he interviewed the "644 German ozone therapists who successfully treated the 384,775 patients with 5,579,238 ozone treatments." He did not provide evidence that autohemotherapy was clinically effective and resulted in long-term benefits.
Summary and Conclusion

Oxygenation therapists proposed that disease is caused by absence of oxygen and loss of cellular ability to use oxygen for "good energy" metabolism, detoxification, and immune system function. Oxygen therapies are proposed in order to restore the body's ability to produce "good" energy, to "detoxify" metabolic poisons, and to kill invading organisms. However, over the five decades that have passed since this concept was proposed, scientists have shown that:

1. Anerobic energy metabolism (fermentation) is not the cause of cancer.
2. Koch's glyoxylide does not exist.
3. Ingestion, infusion, or injection of hydrogen peroxide cannot re-oxygenate the tissues of the body.
4. Ozone-treated blood infused during autohemotherapy does not kill AIDS virus in vivo.

References

1. Koch, W.F. The Survival Factor in Neoplastic and Viral Diseases. The Inter. Oxid. Instit., Priest River, Idaho, 83856. 1921.
2. Warburg, Otto. Cell Physiologist, Biochemist and Eccentric-A Biography by Hans Krebs. Clarendon Press, Oxford. 1981.
3. Jenssen, W.F. Analysis of Koch Medicines. Anal. Chemist. 50:197A:1978.
4. Standinger H, Anthes E. Hypothetical molecule, ethendione. Ber Deutch Chem Ges 46:1426, 1913.
5. Birney DM, Berson JA. Theoretical calculations on glyoxylide. Tetrahedron 42:1561, 1986.
6. Sulzle D, Weiske T, Schwarz H. Experiments aimed at generating he long sought after glyoxilide by neutralization-reionization mass spectromtry. Int J. Mass Specctroscopy and Ion Processes 125:75, 1993.
7. Warburg, Otto. Ueber den Stoffwechsel der Tumoren. Springer, Berlin Translated by F. Dickens. Constable, London. 1936.
8. Warburg, Otto. The Catalytic Activity of Living Tissues. Springer, Berlin 1938.
9. Warburg, Otto. A Review. Science; l23:309-315:1956.
10. Aisenberg, A. The glycolysis and respiration of tumors. A Review. Academic Press , NY and London. 1961.
11. Borell G. The Peroxide Story-2nd Printing. ECHO. 1986.
12. Le Beau, C. Hydrogen Peroxide Therapy- New Hope for Incurable Disease. 3rd. Edition, revised.
13. Farr, C.H. Physiological and Biochemical Responses to Intravenous Hydrogen Peroxide in Man. J. Adv. Med. l:ll3-l29:1988.
14. Merck Index. llth Edition: p. 4725.
15. Personal Communication from Fr. Richard Willhelm. Enlightened Catholic Health Organization (ECHO). Naples, Florida. 1989.
16. Newsletter, The Oasis Purewater Company, San Diego, CA. 1988
17. Peroxide for Improved Health by T. Valentine, an interview with Fr. Richard Willhelm, SPOTLIGHT, August, 1986.
18. Donsbach, K. Nutrition in Action- A Newsletter. 2:1986. Distributed by Remco of Arizona Inc. Tucson.
19. Farr, C.H. A protocol and guidelines for safe IV administration of hydrogen peroxide. International Bioxidative Medicine Foundation, Dallas, Texas, 1987
20. Shah, J. Pedemonte, M.S. and Wilcock, M.M., Hydrogen peroxide may cause venous oxygen embolism. Anesthesiolgy. 6l:631-2:1984.
21. Ozone and Other Photochemical Oxidants: A Medical and Biologic Review of Environmental Pollutants. Committee of the N.R.C and the N.A.S. 1977.
22. Bocci, V. Ozonization of Blood for the Therapy of Viral Diseases and Immunodeficiencies. A Hypothesis. Medical Hypotheses. 39:30-34:1992.
23. Majchrowicz, M,A. Ozone/Oxygen- Treatment Education Program-AIDS Project. Los Angeles, CA 1994.
24. Carpendale, M.T.F., and Griffis, J. In: Ozone in Medicine. Proc. llth Ozone World Congress. 1993.
25. Wells, K.H., Latino, J. Gavalchin, J, and Poiesz, B.J. Inactivation of human immunodeficiency virus type I by ozone in vitro. Blood. 78:l882+l890:1991.
26. McCabe, E., Ozone Therapy for AIDS. AIDS Patient Care. p.254-255, Dec. 1992.
27. Internat. Ozone Assn. Pan American Committee, Stanford, CT.1993.
28. Carpendale, M.T.F. and Freeberg, J.K. Ozone inactivates HIV noncytoxic concentrations. Antiviral Res. l6:(199) 281-292:1991.
29. Carpendale, M.T.F. Does ozone alleviate AIDS diarrhea. J. Clin. Gastro. l7: 2: l42-l45: 1993.
30. Kief, H., Treatment of Viral Disease with Ozone. Erfahrungsheilkunde, 37:3:1988.
31. Alternative Medicine: A Hearing Before the Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations. US Senate, l03rd Congress, First Session, 1993. Senator Tom Harkin, Chairman.
32. Comroe, J.H. Jr., Drips R.D. A Monograph: The Physiological Basis for Oxygen Therapy. Charles C Thomas, Springfield Ill. 1950.
33. Moran, R.F. Oxygen saturation, content and the dyshemoglobins. Pt I. Ciba-Corning News, p.ll, January 1990.
34. Zinsser Microbiology, 18th Edition. Joklik, Willet, Amos. eds. Appleton, Century-Croft, Norwalk, Ct. 1984.
35. Shenep, J.L. Stokes, D.C, Hughs W.T. Lack of antibacterial activity after i.v. hydrogen peroxide infusion in experimental E. coli sepsis. Infect. and Immunity. 48:#3:607:1985.
36. Clifford, D., and Repine, J.E., Hydrogen peroxide mediated killing of bacteria. Mol. and Cellular Biochem. 49:l43-l49:;982
37. Johnson, R.J.R., Froese, G., Khodadad, M. and Gibson, D. Hydrogen peroxide and radiotherapy. Bubble formation in the blood. Brit. J. Radiol. 41:749: 1968.
38. Ludington, L.G., Hartman S.W., Keplinger, J.E. and Williams, F.S. Incomplete rupture of the colon following a hydrogen peroxide enema. Arch. Surg. 76:658-66l:1958.
39. Sellers, R.D., Reventos, J., Lillehei, R.C. and Lillehei, C.W. Cardiac arrest due to use of hydrogen peroxide with experimental study of effects of topical antibacterial agents upon the heart. Jour. Thoracic Cardiovasc. Surg. 44:l4-20:1962.
40. Shaw, A. Cooperman, A. and Fusco, J. Gas embolism produced by hydrogen peroxide. N.E.J.M. 277:238:1967.
41. Brodeur, A.E. Peroxide Lavage of Colon in Children Held Risky. Med. Tribune 7:1: Oct.1966.
42. Walker, J.E.G. Emphysema of soft tissues complicating endodontic treatment using hydrogen peroxide. Brit. Journ of Oral Surg l3:98-99: 1975.
43. Meyer C.T., Brand, M. Deluca, V.A. and Spiro, H., Hydrogen peroxide colitis: A report of three patients. J. Clin Gastro.3:31-35:1981.
44. Bassan, M. M. and Dudai, M. Shalev, O. Near fatal systemic oxygen embolism due to wound irrigation with hydrogen peroxide. Post Grad. Med. Journ 58:448-45l:1982.
45. Sleigh, J.W., Linter, S.P.K., Hazaards of hydrogen peroxide. Br. Med. Journ. 291:l706:1985.
46. Giberson, T.P., Kern, J.D., Pettigrew, D.W. Eaves, C.C. Haynes J.F. Near fatal hydrogen peroxide ingestion. Ann. Emergency Med.l8:778:1989.
47. Rackoff, W.R. and Merton, D.F. Gas embolism after ingestion of hydrogen peroxide. Pediatrics. 85:593-594:1990.
48. Jordan, K.S., Mackey, D. and Garvey E. A case review; acute hemolytic crisis secondary to i.v. injections of hydrogen peroxide. J. of Emerg. Nursing l7:8-10:1991.
49. Sherman, S.J. Boyer, L.V., Sibley, W.A. Cerebral infarction immediately after ingestion of hydrogen peroxide solution. Stroke.25:l065-l067:1994.
50. Poiesz, B. Personal communication to S. Green, 8/ 24/1995.
51. Rietjens, I.M.C.M., Lemmink, H.H., Alink, G.M., Van Bladeren, P.J. The role of glutathione-S-transferases in fatty acid ozonide detoxification. Chem. Biol. Interactions. 62: 3-14: 1987.
52. Cortesi, R. and Privett, O.S. Toxicity of fatty ozonides and peroxides. Lipids. 7:715:1972.
53. Garber G.E. Cameron D.W., Hawley-Foss, N. Greenway, D. and Shannon, M.E. The use of ozone treated blood in the therapy of HIV infection and immune disease; a pilot study of safety and efficacy. AIDS. 5:981-984:1991.
54. Hooker, M.H. and Gazzaard, B.G. Ozone treated blood in the treatment of HIV infection. AIDS. 6:l3l:1991.
55. Ozone in Medicine: Special Session, Programme—May 1995. 12th World Congress of the Intern. Ozone Assn. Lille, France.
56. Bocci, V. Personal communication to S. Green 8/30/1995.
57. Fuessl H.S. Ozone for AIDS. Z. Allg. Med. 67:1334-1336:1991.
58. Burkhard, B. Personal communication to S. Green, 5/23/1995.
59. Vedhara, K., Nott K.H. and Richards S.M. Individual reliability of CD-4 cell counts. AIDS. 9:#1:98-99: 1995.

About the Author

Dr. Green (1925-2007) was a biochemist who did cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for 23 years. He consulted on scientific methodology and had a special interest in unproven methods
Copyright Notice

The original version of this article was published in the Spring/Summer 1998 issue of the Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine.

Resurrected wrote:I've kept out of this as I just get annoyed at this kind of misinformation especially when it could be harmful. Whilst I appreciate we are all on these forums to have open debate there are times when I personally think some strict moderation should be applied. This thread is one such case.

Whilst it is very unlikely to happen, what if a young teenager who reads the forum came across this thread & half read it & only took on board the first few posts from Bison & Scott that for all intent come across as showing hydrogen peroxide as being a 'wonderful' supplement. Said kid then goes out buys & ingests some. Would you want to be resonsible for the consequences.

I think we all need to have a little more personal responsibilty when we post on this or any other forum & think first.

kp1512 wrote:on a side note this is similar to DNP

DNP is alleged to kill cancer cells due to the heat it creates inside the body - but the very oxidative nature of its effects make the increase of byproducts potentially cancerous. so if you take alot of good anti oxs there's milage in researching its effects on cancer even.

ash fletcher wrote:

kp1512 wrote:on a side note this is similar to DNP

DNP is alleged to kill cancer cells due to the heat it creates inside the body - but the very oxidative nature of its effects make the increase of byproducts potentially cancerous. so if you take alot of good anti oxs there's milage in researching its effects on cancer even.

You gotta be careful what research you read though KP, the problem is alot of self proclaimed "Nutritionlists" interpret studies wrongly and cherry pick stuff they like, just like that fekking NU guy off MP does. Bleach can kill cancer cells i bet, should we get cancer patients drinking it?

Things are nearly never as simple as just as if X is good for you and is produced in body then therefore taking some of X will make things even better.

Resurrected wrote:I've kept out of this as I just get annoyed at this kind of misinformation especially when it could be harmful. Whilst I appreciate we are all on these forums to have open debate there are times when I personally think some strict moderation should be applied. This thread is one such case.

Whilst it is very unlikely to happen, what if a young teenager who reads the forum came across this thread & half read it & only took on board the first few posts from Bison & Scott that for all intent come across as showing hydrogen peroxide as being a 'wonderful' supplement. Said kid then goes out buys & ingests some. Would you want to be resonsible for the consequences.

I think we all need to have a little more personal responsibilty when we post on this or any other forum & think first.

Anyway some more info:

Bison wrote:Why we can't we use forums like this for a bit of discussion and debate? Maybe even use our own common sense/intelligence to do some reading up and make up our own minds as threads evolve and progress??

Strict moderation? For what exactly, talking about a product that's freely available in any chemist to anyone?

Once you start going down the "What if..." road and throw common sense out the window where does it stop?? Steroids are talked about but "What if some numbnuts only reads what he wants to read and hear and goes and shoots up loads of gear anyway?" Oh wait doesn't this happen all the time anyway?

All the info that is freely available all over the internet - including everything in this thread - and sites are free to say whatever they want, unchallenged and usually very biased if they have an agenda. At least on a good quality forum like this, a thread where there's a balanced load of info, arguements to and for, people reading can make up their own minds as they learn.

Isn't this far safer than someone just googling for something, reading the first link that comes up and assuming that's gospel?

Yes Hydrogen Peroxide can be dangerous if you misuse it or use a super strong solution - too much water can kill, as can pretty much anything if you're going to be an idiot with it. Without the scaremongering, if you actually readup I think you'll find that if used correctly this stuff could have massive potential - which is why I started the thread - if not then cool but it's still has many great uses and it cost pennies

kp1512 wrote:I agree with Bison - the very same token we can get people reading forums and taking 5g of Test! Or taking 20 Ephedrines.....and god knows what else

The key in this thread - which self moderates is that the likes of Rob and GB came out and put there valid arguments across - that in itself is enough in the entire context of this thread. Anyone with a brain cell to rub will have seen GB's posts and her referral to her experience enough to air caution to even trying it.

If someone went away and tried it after reading it on a forum without applying any common sense or reading the posts - they shouldnt have been given access to the internet in the first place.

GB - Id agree a disclaimer for the stupid is the way forward in future but thats covered anyway in the T&C of the forum but lets make it even more idiot proof.

kp1512 wrote:I agree with Bison - the very same token we can get people reading forums and taking 5g of Test! Or taking 20 Ephedrines.....and god knows what else

The key in this thread - which self moderates is that the likes of Rob and GB came out and put there valid arguments across - that in itself is enough in the entire context of this thread. Anyone with a brain cell to rub will have seen GB's posts and her referral to her experience enough to air caution to even trying it.

If someone went away and tried it after reading it on a forum without applying any common sense or reading the posts - they shouldnt have been given access to the internet in the first place.

GB - Id agree a disclaimer for the stupid is the way forward in future but thats covered anyway in the T&C of the forum but lets make it even more idiot proof.

Bison wrote:

Resurrected wrote:I've kept out of this as I just get annoyed at this kind of misinformation especially when it could be harmful. Whilst I appreciate we are all on these forums to have open debate there are times when I personally think some strict moderation should be applied. This thread is one such case.

Whilst it is very unlikely to happen, what if a young teenager who reads the forum came across this thread & half read it & only took on board the first few posts from Bison & Scott that for all intent come across as showing hydrogen peroxide as being a 'wonderful' supplement. Said kid then goes out buys & ingests some. Would you want to be resonsible for the consequences.

I think we all need to have a little more personal responsibilty when we post on this or any other forum & think first.

Anyway some more info:

Why we can't we use forums like this for a bit of discussion and debate? Maybe even use our own common sense/intelligence to do some reading up and make up our own minds as threads evolve and progress??

No where did I say we can't. It's not for me to decide.

Strict moderation? For what exactly, talking about a product that's freely available in any chemist to anyone?

Once you start going down the "What if..." road and throw common sense out the window where does it stop?? Steroids are talked about but "What if some numbnuts only reads what he wants to read and hear and goes and shoots up loads of gear anyway?" Oh wait doesn't this happen all the time anyway?

Not a great analogy it takes a little more investigation for the average Joe to get steroids than it does to get hydrogen peroxide,

All the info that is freely available all over the internet - including everything in this thread - and sites are free to say whatever they want, unchallenged and usually very biased if they have an agenda. At least on a good quality forum like this, a thread where there's a balanced load of info, arguements to and for, people reading can make up their own minds as they learn.

Isn't this far safer than someone just googling for something, reading the first link that comes up and assuming that's gospel?

Yes it is but as previously stated just read the first couple of posts & you'd think we have a new wonder drug

Yes Hydrogen Peroxide can be dangerous if you misuse it or use a super strong solution - too much water can kill, as can pretty much anything if you're going to be an idiot with it. Without the scaremongering, if you actually readup I think you'll find that if used correctly this stuff could have massive potential - which is why I started the thread - if not then cool but it's still has many great uses and it cost pennies

Whether it has a great many uses is the subject of the debate in this thread & your assumption and wholesale promotion by you is the reason for my post. There is no qualitative or quantitative prove of any benefit. In this thread many people have posted prove of its disadvantages however.

So the debate is happening. My original post still stands that we need to be careful on this kind of thing. Bison you may not give a shit if someone comes to harm as a result of your posts. Personally I would not want that to happen as a result of someting I posted.

The voluminous literature on quercetin's antioxidant effects is beyond the scope of this article. We will focus here on quercetin's ability to quench hydrogen peroxide (H202), an oxidant that is pervasive in the body.4 We have already seen that quercetin reduces platelet aggregation and adhesion by reducing hydrogen peroxide production.

Hydrogen peroxide is normally present in the aqueous humor of the eye, and is thought to be a major oxidant in the formation of cataracts. In the laboratory, hydrogen peroxide causes lens opacification and a pattern of oxidative damage similar to that found in cataracts. Not surprisingly, hydrogen peroxide levels are very high in the aqueous humor of cataract patients.

Researchers studied the effect of quercetin in a model of cataract formation where a rat lens organ culture is exposed to hydrogen peroxide. They found that quercetin is methylated by an enzyme present in the lens, and that both quercetin and this methylated quercetin metabolite protected the lens from opacification and oxidative damage. Their results support the hypothesis that dietary quercetin actively inhibits oxidative damage in the lens and could play an important role in the prevention of cataract.16

Hydrogen peroxide damages neurons by interfering with the cell's ability to regulate calcium levels, as occurs in many neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, hydrogen peroxide increases intracellular calcium levels, and if this condition is sustained too long, mitochondrial function is impaired and irreversible damage and/or cell death can result. Researchers tested the effect of quercetin and other flavonoids on calcium regulation in PC12 cells, commonly used in cellular models of the nervous system. They found that quercetin best protected cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress and calcium dysregulation. The researchers analyzed the chemical structural characteristics that confer these protective effects, and concluded that the quercetin molecule displays precisely the desired characteristics.17

4. Pignatelli P, et al. The flavonoids quercetin and catechin synergistically inhibit platelet function by antagonizing the intracellular production of hydrogen peroxide. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;72:1150-5.

16. Cornish KM, et al. Quercetin metabolism in the lens: role in inhibition of hydrogen peroxide induced cataract. Free Rad Biol Med 2002;33(1):

17. Wang H, et al. Structure-activity relationships of quercetin in antagonizing hydrogen peroxide-induced calcium dysregulation in cells. Free Rad Biol Med 1999;27(5/6):683-694

Hydrogen Peroxide


The role of your cancer health professional is to create an environment of openness and trust, and to help in making informed decisions about alternative/ complementary therapies. Collaboration will improve the safe integration of all therapies during your experience with cancer. The "Summary" and "Professional Evaluation/ Critique" sections of this Unconventional Therapies manual are cited directly from the medical literature, and are intended to help in the objective evaluation of alternative/ complementary therapies.

Summary

"Patients with cancer should not consider oxygen therapies as either alternative (first-line) or adjunct (complementary) therapies." (Cassileth)

"After studying the literature and other available information, the American Cancer Society has found no evidence that treatment with hydrogen peroxide or other 'hyperoxygenating' compounds is safe or results in objective benefit in the treatment of cancer. Lacking such evidence, the American Cancer Society strongly urges individuals with cancer not to seek such treatment." (CA)

Description/ Source/ Components

"Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is composed of two atoms of oxygen and two atoms of hydrogen. It is formed when water reacts with a single atom of oxygen... Most hydrogen peroxide treatments involve injection of diluted solutions of hydrogen peroxide in doses given over a period of one to several weeks." (Cassileth)

"Hydrogen peroxide is unstable and decomposes violently when in direct contact with tough surfaces or traces of organic or particulate matter. Light, agitation, heating, or chemical substances like carbonates, proteins, chlorides, charcoal, and iron all accelerate the rate of hydrogen peroxide decomposition in solution. One volume of 30% hydrogen-peroxide solution will yield 100 volumes of oxygen gas when it decomposes." (Green)

Kurt Donsbach runs Hospital Santa Monica, which uses hydrogen peroxide on patients. "Clinic literature states that hydrogen peroxide is administered intravenously, orally, in ear drops, as a nasal spray, as a tooth gel, as breath drops, and via enemas." (Barrett)

"Some promoters claim that the 3%-H2O2 product available in pharmacies is contaminated, so they recommend either reagent-grade (30%) or the 35% variety most commonly sold in health food stores. Proponents refer to the 35% version as 'food-grade peroxide', although this is not a scientifically recognized term." (CA)

History

The claims of oxygenation promoters are based on the concepts of William F. Koch (1885-1962) and Otto Warburg (1883-1970). (Green)

"William F. Koch, a Detroit physician, theorized in 1919 that cancer was caused by a metabolic defect brought on by a single toxin produced by an injury or irritation. He proposed that toxins produced during metabolism and by bacteria were normally burned off during oxidation of carbohydrates. If the toxins persisted, they damaged the toxin-burning system and converted a normally present 'harmless germ' into a virulent cancer-causing one." (Green)

"A major theoretical foundation for oxygen therapy is the work of Otto Warburg, M.D., winner of the Nobel Prize for medicine in 1931 (for elucidating the chemistry of cell respiration). Warburg observed that cancer cells have lower respiration rates than normal cells. He postulated that cancer cells therefore grow better in a low-oxygen environment, and that introducing higher oxygen levels could retard their growth or kill them." (Cassileth)

"Recent efforts to popularize hydrogen peroxide as an 'alternative therapy' are due largely to the activity of Father Richard Wilhelm, a retired high school teacher and former Army chaplain... Father Wilhelm claims to have discovered the healing potential of H2O2 through acquaintance with Edward Carl Rosenow, MD, a physician who headed the Mayo Clinic's division of experimental bacteriology from 1915 until 1944, when he retired. Dr. Rosenow's papers, however, contain no evidence that he promoted the internal use of hydrogen peroxide for the control of cancer, arthritis, or any other degenerative disease." (CA)

"Other active promoters of hydrogen peroxide therapy are Kurt Donsbach, PhD, Walter Grotz, George Borell, Ed McCabe, and Charles Farr, MD, PhD." (CA)

Proponent/ Advocate Claims

"Hydrogen peroxide will split into a molecule of water (which consists of two hydrogen atoms plus an oxygen atom) and one atom of oxygen. This single oxygen atom, according to oxygen therapy advocates, provide oxygen that the body uses both to prevent diseases from starting and to fight diseases already present in the body." (Cassileth)

"They claim that toxins that adulterate processed foods, the environment, and medications damage the oxidative metabolism of normal cells which then regress into anaerobic metabolism in which an inferior energy is produced, resulting in cancer." (Green)

"Donsbach claims that injected peroxide will boost blood oxygen levels which, in turn, kill cancer cells." (Barrett)

Promoters believe that hydrogen peroxide "kills cancer cells by supplying more oxygen than they can tolerate." Some also claim that "soaking an affected body part in peroxide can cause tumors to separate from the body so that they can be 'wiped away' and that drinking H2O2 can reduce the size of throat tumors." (CA)

Professional Evaluation/ Critique

"Hydrogen peroxide does participate in the bactericidal processes within activated phagocyte cells. But when it escapes from the cells into the adjacent extracellular space during the inflammatory process, it becomes a major contributor to the tissue damage seen in lung disease, malignancies, and hemolysis. The presence of pharmacological concentrations of hydrogen peroxide in the blood is clearly a double-edged sword which can easily cause as much harm as it can cause good." (Green)

"The amount of oxygen contained in the few cubic centimeters of peroxide included in Donsbach's 4-hour intravenous infusions is less than the amount in a single deep breath of air." (Barrett)

"Oral hydrogen peroxide would automatically be ineffective since all of the hydrogen peroxide would be eliminated in the stomach forming water and inert gaseous oxygen which would then be lost in burping or passing flatus. No effect would occur in the body." (Personal)

"In 1988, the U.S. Postal Service issued Donsbach a cease and desist order to stop him from claiming that the hydrogen peroxide used orally or intravenously is effective against cancer or arthritis, or that it is fit for human consumption." (U.S. Congress)

Hydrogen peroxide is a treatment provided by the Bio-Genesis Clinic in Mexico. However, "instead of presenting the public with sound, verifiable, scientific research and conclusions, clinics such as Bio-Genesis seem to rely more heavily on testimonials from former patients as their proof." (DuBois)

Toxicity/ Risks

"Hydrogen peroxide can be harmful, causing toxic reactions if taken internally in excessive amounts or as an undiluted preparation." (Cassileth)

"A continuous infusion of peroxide that results in 0.01 volume per 100 ml blood can cause an arterial gas embolism [sudden blocking of an artery] and irreversible lung damage. That such adverse reactions do occur is clear from reports in the medical literature. These incidents include: oxygen gas emboli, necrosis [the sum of the morphological changes indicative of cell death], and gangrene following peroxide enemas or colonic lavage [washing out of the colon]; emphysema [accumulation of air in tissues or organs] following peroxide mouthwash or gargle; and ulcerative colitis [inflammation of the colon], gas embolism, and emphysema following deep wound irrigation. Peroxide ingestion results in respiratory arrest, seizures, gas embolism in the portal circulation, shock, and acute hemolysis [disruption of red blood cell membrane causing release of hemoglobin]. Stroke and multiple cerebral infarcts and venous embolism follow irrigation of anal fistula [one opening on the cutaneous surface of the anus] and irrigation of surgical wounds." (Green)

"H2O2 must be diluted sufficiently or it may cause chemical burns. H2O2 often cause nausea when taken orally." (Ontario)

"Thirty-five percent hydrogen peroxide is commercially available as an oxidant and disinfectant. This solution is currently sold and promoted in health food stores in th United States as a means of 'improving oxygenation' in people with coronary artery disease and other health problems. Our findings show the high toxicity of concentrated hydrogen peroxide. CNS [central nervous system] damage and death are likely consequences after ingestion of this agent." (Ashdown)

"Promoters of hydrogen peroxide tend to downplay its potential for harm... In fact, however, during the past three years, six children have been seriously poisoned and one died as a result of accidentally drinking the concentrated solution stored in their refrigerator. The product in the fatal case had been obtained by mail order as an alternative medicine. A near-fatal case of ingestion by an adult also has been reported." (CA)

"The present study clearly demonstrates that H2O2 acts as a carcinogen. Reactive oxygen intermediates have been reported to induce single-strand breaks in cellular DNA, oxidation of DNA bases, chromosomal aberrations, and DNA-protein cross-links." (Okamoto)

Resolution of delayed altered mental status associated with hydrogen peroxide ingestion following hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Vander Heide SJ, Seamon JP.

Grand Rapids MERC/Michigan State University Program in Emergency Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI 49443, USA. s_vanderheide@yahoo.com

Case Report: An 82-year-old women presented with altered mental status, seizure, and apnea after an accidental ingestion of concentrated hydrogen peroxide. Ingestion of concentrated peroxide can result in gas embolism of the cerebral vasculature. After hyperbaric treatment, the patient had prompt and full neurologic recovery. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of reversal of significant altered mental status associated with hydrogen peroxide ingestion in temporal relation with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Emergency physicians need to be aware of the dangers of peroxide ingestion and may wish to consider hyperbaric oxygen as a potential additional treatment for severe cases.

The use of hydrogen peroxide in the experimental therapy of cysts. An in vitro analysis.

[Article in English, Italian]

Graziani F, Vano M, Tartaro G, Fanelli G, Gabriele M.

Section of Odontostomatologic Special Surgery, Department of Neurosciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.

AIM: Aim of the authors is to evaluate in vitro the histological alteration caused by hydrogen peroxide on a sample of radicular cysts. METHODS: Twelve radicular cysts were divided into 2 portions. The control group was histologically evaluated whereas the other portion, test, was treated with 3% hydrogen peroxide before histological analysis. Test and control portions were compared for integrity of the epithelium, inflammatory state of the cystic walls, presence of necrosis, stromal vacuolization and microvessel density (MVD). MVD was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using anti-CD34 monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS: Significantly lower epithelium integrity has been detected in the test group (p= or <0.007), (Wilcoxon test). Moreover, the test group presented a higher number of stromal vacuolization areas (p= or <0.004). However, necrosis and inflammation reported no significative differences. No significative differences were noticed for the MVD. CONCLUSION: Hydrogen peroxide showed a cytopathic and cytolytic activity in vitro. Those effects have been shown on both cysts tissues: epithelium and connective tissue. The present study did not reveal any statistically significant difference between the number of vessels in the control and in the test group. However, further in vitro and human studies are needed to validate this substance in the treatment of cysts.

Skin tolerability and efficacy of combination therapy with hydrogen peroxide stabilized cream and adapalene gel in comparison with benzoyl peroxide cream and adapalene gel in common acne. A randomized, investigator-masked, controlled trial.

Capizzi R, Landi F, Milani M, Amerio P.

Clinica Dermatologica, Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Rome, Italy.

BACKGROUND: Combination therapy with antiseptics such as benzoyl peroxide (BP) and topical retinoids is widely used as first-line treatment for acne vulgaris (AV). However, these combinations could have a suboptimal skin tolerability. Recently, a new formulation of hydrogen peroxide (HP) 1% in stabilized cream (Crystacide; Mipharm, Milan, Italy) became available. A previous clinical study has shown that HP cream monotherapy presents a better skin tolerability in comparison with BP in patients with mild AV. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the tolerability and the efficacy of combination therapy with HP cream and adapalene 0.1% gel in comparison with the combination of BP 4% cream and adapalene 0.1% gel in the treatment of mild to moderate AV. METHODS: In a randomized, investigator-blinded trial, 52 patients (mean +/- SD age 25 +/- 6 years; 19 men and 33 women) with AV were randomly assigned to HP cream and adapalene gel (group HP + A) or to BP cream and adapalene gel (group BP + A), for eight consecutive weeks. Efficacy was assessed by total (TL), inflammatory (IL) and noninflammatory (NL) lesion counts performed at baseline and weeks 4 and 8. Tolerability was assessed by evaluating skin erythema, burning and dryness at weeks 4 and 8. RESULTS: All patients completed the study. At baseline, the mean +/- SD numbers of TL, IL and NL were 44 +/- 9, 25 +/- 7 and 19 +/- 6 in group HP + A and 40 +/- 9, 21 +/- 7 and 19 +/- 9 in group BP + A, respectively. At the end of the treatment period, TL, IL and NL were reduced by 93%, 92% and 95%, respectively, in group HP + A and by 88%, 86% and 90%, respectively, in group BP + A. A significantly (P = 0.0025) greater reduction in NL was observed in group HP + A in comparison with group BP + A. Tolerability was significantly better in group HP + A in comparison with group BP + A (P = 0.02). Skin dryness and burning sensation were more frequent in group BP + A. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of adapalene and HP cream is an effective topical treatment regimen in mild to moderate AV. This combination has shown a better tolerability profile in comparison with the combination of BP and adapalene.

Dual role of hydrogen peroxide in cancer: possible relevance to cancer chemoprevention and therapy.

López-Lázaro M.

Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, Spain. mlopezlazaro@us.es

Accumulating evidence suggests that hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) plays an important role in cancer development. Experimental data have shown that cancer cells produce high amounts of H(2)O(2). An increase in the cellular levels of H(2)O(2) has been linked to several key alterations in cancer, including DNA alterations, cell proliferation, apoptosis resistance, metastasis, angiogenesis and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) activation. It has also been observed that the malignant phenotype of cancer cells can be reversed just by decreasing the cellular levels of H(2)O(2). On the other hand, there is evidence that H(2)O(2) can induce apoptosis in cancer cells selectively and that the activity of several anticancer drugs commonly used in the clinic is mediated, at least in part, by H(2)O(2). The present report discusses that the high levels of H(2)O(2) commonly observed in cancer cells may be essential for cancer development; these high levels, however, seem almost incompatible with cell survival and may make cancer cells more susceptible to H(2)O(2)-induced cell death than normal cells. An understanding of this dual role of H(2)O(2) in cancer might be exploited for the development of cancer chemopreventive and therapeutic strategies.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress is involved in hydrogen peroxide induced apoptosis in immortalized and malignant human oral keratinocytes.

Min SK, Lee SK, Park JS, Lee J, Paeng JY, Lee SI, Lee HJ, Kim Y, Pae HO, Lee SK, Kim EC.

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, Wonkwang University, Iksan, South Korea.

BACKGROUND: Although hydrogen peroxide may play an important role in the development of cancer, it can be an efficient inducer of apoptosis in cancer cells; the exact mechanism by which this action occurs is not completely understood in oral cancer cells. METHOD: In this study, the mechanisms by which H(2)O(2) inhibited growth and induced apoptosis were differentially investigated using HPV-immortalized human oral keratinocytes (IHOK) and oral cancer cells (HN4). RESULTS: H(2)O(2) treatment sensitively and dose-dependently induced growth inhibition and typical apoptosis in IHOK and HN4 cells, as demonstrated by a decreased level of cell viability, an increased population of cells in the sub-G(0)/G(1) phase, ladder formation of the genomic DNA, chromatin condensation and accumulation of Annexin V(+)/PI(+) cells. Furthermore, the expression of Bax, p53 and p21(WAF1/CIP1) increased, whereas the expression of Bcl-2 decreased in immortalized and malignant keratinocytes that were treated with H(2)O(2). In addition, cytochrome-c from the mitochondria was observed in H(2)O(2)-treated IHOK and oral cancer cells, and this was accompanied by the activation of caspase-3 and -9. Additionally, H(2)O(2) treatment induced upregulation of CHOP, GRP78 and several representative endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-responsive proteins, including heme oxygenase-1. CONCLUSION: Overall, these results suggest that H(2)O(2) triggers apoptosis via the mitochondrial and ER stress pathway in IHOK and HN4 cells, and that increasing the cellular levels of H(2)O(2) sufficiently may lead to selective killing of oral cancer cells and therefore be therapeutically useful.

Increased expression of mitochondrial peroxiredoxin-3 (thioredoxin peroxidase-2) protects cancer cells against hypoxia and drug-induced hydrogen peroxide-dependent apoptosis.

Nonn L, Berggren M, Powis G.

Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724-5024, USA.

Peroxiredoxin-3 (Prdx3) is a mitochondrial member of the antioxidant family of thioredoxin peroxidases that uses mitochondrial thioredoxin-2 (Trx2) as a source of reducing equivalents to scavenge hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). Low levels of H(2)O(2) produced by the mitochondria regulate physiological processes, including cell proliferation, while high levels of H(2)O(2) are toxic to the cell and cause apoptosis. WEHI7.2 thymoma cells with stable overexpression of Prdx3 displayed decreased levels of cellular H(2)O(2) and decreased cell proliferation without a change in basal levels of apoptosis. Prdx3-transfected cells showed a marked resistance to hypoxia-induced H(2)O(2) formation and apoptosis. Prdx3 overexpression also protected the cells against apoptosis caused by H(2)O(2), t-butylhydroperoxide, and the anticancer drug imexon, but not by dexamethasone. Thus, mitochondrial Prdx3 is an important cellular antioxidant that regulates physiological levels of H(2)O(2), leading to decreased cell growth while protecting cells from the apoptosis-inducing effects of high levels of H(2)O(2).

Apoptosis-inducing factor plays a critical role in caspase-independent, pyknotic cell death in hydrogen peroxide-exposed cells.

Son YO, Jang YS, Heo JS, Chung WT, Choi KC, Lee JC.

Graduate Center for Toxicology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536-0001, USA.

It has been proposed that continuously generated hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) inhibits typical apoptosis and instead initiates an alternate, apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF)-dependent process. Aside from the role of AIF, however, the detailed morphological characterization of H(2)O(2)-induced cell death is not complete. This study examined the cellular mechanism(s) by which the continuous presence of H(2)O(2) induces cell death. We also further analyzed the precise role of AIF by inhibiting its expression with siRNA. Exposure of cells to H(2)O(2) generated by glucose oxidase caused mitochondrion-mediated, caspase-independent cell death. In addition, H(2)O(2) exposure resulted in cell shrinkage and chromatin condensation without nuclear fragmentation, indicating that H(2)O(2) stimulates a pyknotic cell death. Further analysis of AIF-transfected cells clearly demonstrated that nuclear translocation of AIF is the most important event required for nuclear condensation, phosphatidyl serine translocation, and ultimately cell death in H(2)O(2)-exposed cells. Furthermore, ATP was rapidly and severely depleted in cells exposed to H(2)O(2) generated by glucose oxidase but not by H(2)O(2) added as a bolus. Suppression of the H(2)O(2)-mediated ATP depletion by 3-aminobenzamide led to a significant increase of nuclear fragmentation in glucose oxidase-exposed cells. Collectively, these findings suggest that an acute energy reduction by H(2)O(2) causes caspase-independent and AIF-dependent cell death.

Dtlv74 wrote:during the past three years, six children have been seriously poisoned and one died as a result of accidentally drinking the concentrated solution stored in their refrigerator. The product in the fatal case had been obtained by mail order as an alternative medicine. A near-fatal case of ingestion by an adult also has been reported." (CA)

health4ni wrote:

Dtlv74 wrote:during the past three years, six children have been seriously poisoned and one died as a result of accidentally drinking the concentrated solution stored in their refrigerator. The product in the fatal case had been obtained by mail order as an alternative medicine. A near-fatal case of ingestion by an adult also has been reported." (CA)

How many die a year from reactions to over the counter drugs like asprin, paracetomol etc? More than one! Let alone those that luckily don't die. FFS some people die from eating peanuts.

Adults & children can probably die from too much of any freely available drug if too much is ingested.

You've gotta put this into perspective. If used correctly in precise ratios from what I've read it's very useful & safe (not withstanding the strong detoxification phase that will happen making you feel like poo). The % of hydrogen peroxide will be very small.

wrt cancer usage etc: I'd rather have a pop at almost anything than the extremely poisonous chemo drugs. I don't want this turn into a cancer topic again; just commenting on it since it was mentioned.

Ozone therapy has been in use in Germany for a long time and in experienced hands seems to be very safe and powerful at helping reverse diseases. afaik same for hydrogen peroxide.

You'll always find arguments for and against almost anything, esp with the internet.