Effect of thermal helium-oxygen mixture on viral load in COVID-19

In this paper, we will discuss the use of t-Не/О 2 in the treatment of patients with the viral disease COVID-19. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of thermal helium-oxygen therapy on viral load, inflammatory markers, and antibody synthesis. Methods . A single-center, randomized, prospective study included 60 patients with COVID-19. Patients were divided into two groups: 1 ( n = 30; 17 male, 13 female) – t-Не/О 2 therapy was included in the standard COVID-19 treatment Protocol; 2 ( n = 30; 16 male, 14 female) – standard therapy in accordance with the clinical recommendations of Healthcare Ministry of Russia for patients with COVID-19. Of the 60 patients included in the study, 28 (46.7%) were medical professionals. The median age of patients in the study was 56.7 (45 – 61) years old. In the group 1 – 58 (45 – 59.5) years old, in the group 2 – 55 (46 – 66) years old. All patients had a positive test of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus RNA, CT signs of “ground-glass opacity” type lung damage, and areas of air space consolidation. Patients were comparable by gender, age, body mass index (BMI), area of lesion of the pulmonary parenchyma, laboratory data. Results . As a result of the use of t-Не/О 2 , the elimination of the SARS-CoV-2 virus occurred within 48 – 72 hours from the start of inhalation and was confirmed by PCR test. The following changes were found in all patients: synthesis of IgM and IgG antibodies, increase in lymphocytes level, decrease of C-reactive protein, restoration of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, D-dimer, and ferritin. These signs became more pronounced in the 1 st group within 72 – 168 hours, compared with the 2 nd group, where these results were achieved on the 10 th day of therapy. Conclusion . Тhe inclusion of thermal inhalation a gas mixture of helium and oxygen (t-Не/О 2 ) in the standard therapy of patients carrying infectious disease caused by SARS-CоV-2 with CT signs of COVID-19 pneumonia (СT1, CT2 grades) reduces the viral load by stimulating antibody synthesis, as the type of immunoglobulin G, and immunoglobulin M causing the effect of “termovaccination”; increases the effectiveness of treatment, reducing the markers of inflammation.