Abstract: A method for delaying the onset, retarding the progression, and causing regression of atherosclerosis in a mammal comprises: (a) treating an aliquot of mammalian blood ex vivo with at least one stressor selected from the group consisting of a temperature above or below body temperature, ultraviolet light and an oxidative environment; and (b) administering the aliquot of blood treated in step (a) to the mammal, wherein the aliquot has a volume sufficient to achieve a reduction in lipid levels in the mammal.

Abstract: The development of graft versus host disease in a mammalian patient undergoing cell transplantation therapy for treatment of a bone marrow mediated disease, is prevented or alleviated by subjecting at least the T-cells of the allogeneic cell transplantation composition, extracorporeally, to oxidative stress, in appropriate dosage amounts, such as bubbling a gaseous mixture of ozone and oxygen through a suspension of the T-cells. The process may also include irradiation of the cells with UV light, simultaneously with the application of the oxidative stress. The oxidative stress induces reduced inflammatory cytokine production and a reduced proliferative response in the T-cells.

Abstract: An autoimmune vaccine is provided for administration to human patients to alleviate the symptoms of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. The vaccine comprises an aliquot of the patient's blood, containing, inter alia, leukocytes having upregulated expression of various cell surface markers and lymphocytes containing decreased amounts of certain stress proteins. It is produced by subjecting the blood aliquot extracorporeally to certain stressors, namely oxidizing agents, UV radiation and elevated temperature.

Abstract: Symptoms of stress such as elevated blood pressure in mammals are treated, and mammalian bodies are preconditioned to manifest reduced adverse reactions to subsequently encountered stresses, by injecting into the mammalian patient a small quantity of the patient's own blood which has been previously extracted and subjected extracorporeally to at least one stressor, such as ultraviolet radiation, an oxidative environment, ozone-oxygen and mild heating, especially infra-red radiation causing mild heating. Particularly beneficial combinations of stressors are simultaneous applications of UV radiation and an ozone-oxygen gas mixture bubbled through the blood sample to provide the oxidative environment, or simultaneous application of UV radiation, ozone-oxygen gas mixtures and mild heating. One specific use of the invention is in preconditioning against ischemic-reperfusion injury, e.g. prior to surgery.

Abstract: An autoimmune vaccine is provided for administration to human patients to alleviate the symptoms of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. The vaccine comprises an aliquot of the patient's blood, containing, inter alia, leukocytes having upregulated expression of various cell surface markers and lymphocytes containing decreased amounts of certain stress proteins. It is produced by subjecting the blood aliquot extracorporeally to certain stressors, namely oxidizing agents, UV radiation and elevated temperature.