ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of ozone oxidative preconditioning in several pathologies characterized by cellular oxidative and inflammatory burden. The present study was designed to investigate the cardioprotective effects of oxidative preconditioning in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. METHODS: Rats were randomly assigned into five groups. Groups 1 and 2 were normal and I/R groups, respectively. Two of the other groups received two different doses of ozone therapies by rectal insufflations. The last group received vehicle (oxygen). Rats were subjected to myocardial I/R (40 min/10 min). Heart rate and ventricular arrhythmias were recorded during I/R progress. At the end of reperfusion, plasma creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) activity and total nitrate/nitrite (NO(x)) were determined. In addition, lactate, adenine nucleotides, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were estimated in the heart left ventricle. Histological examination was also performed to visualize the protective cellular effects. RESULTS: Both doses of ozone therapy were equally protective in reducing CK-MB release. However, the higher dose was more effective in reducing oxidative stress, lactate accumulation, elevated MPO activity and plasma NO(x) as well as preserving myocardial adenine nucleotides. Histological examination also revealed better improvement with a higher dose of ozone therapy compared to the I/R group. CONCLUSION: Ozone therapy can afford significant cardioprotection against biochemical and histological changes associated with I/R injury.
Subject(s)
Cardiotonic Agents/pharmacology , Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control , Ozone/pharmacology , Adenine Nucleotides/metabolism , Animals , Cardiotonic Agents/therapeutic use , Creatine Kinase, MB Form/blood , Glutathione/metabolism , Heart/drug effects , Heart/physiopathology , Heart Rate/drug effects , Heart Ventricles/metabolism , Heart Ventricles/pathology , Lactic Acid/metabolism , Male , Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/blood , Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/metabolism , Oxidative Stress , Ozone/therapeutic use , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances/metabolismABSTRACT
Ozone has recently been subjected to criticism and emphasis in relation to clinical efficacy and toxicity, respectively. Without a doubt, ozone, in common with oxygen itself, is one of the most potent oxidants. Ozone is considered one of the major pollutants in urban areas. Nevertheless, increasingly widespread use lately has highlighted the potential benefits as a therapeutic agent when used according to well-defined and safe protocols. Basic studies conducted following rigorous scientific and ethical criteria have been proposed for scientific discussion. This paper concerns original data on an in vivo model of Parkinson's disease and published data on the effect of low ozone doses with any risk of toxicity excluded with the concentrations commonly used in medical applications.
