Ozone oxidative preconditioning inhibits inflammation and apoptosis in a rat model of renal ischemia/reperfusion injury

Neuroprotective Effects of Coenzyme Q10 and Ozone Therapy on Experimental Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries in Rats

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the neuroprotective effects and functional recovery potential of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and ozone therapy in spinal cord injury (SCI).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this study, 40 female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups of 8. Surgical procedures induced spinal cord trauma in all groups, except the control group. The ozone group received 0.7 mg/kg rectal ozone daily for 7 days, starting 1 hour postspinal cord trauma. The CoQ10 group was administered 120 mg/kg CoQ10 orally once daily for 7 days, beginning 24 hours prior to trauma. The CoQ10 + ozone group received both treatments. Examinations included a modified Tarlov scale and inclined plane test on days 1, 3, 5, and 7. Malondialdehyde (MDA) analysis was conducted on serum samples, and assessments of caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax levels were performed on tissue samples. Additionally, a comprehensive examination analyzed histopathological and ultrastructural changes.

RESULTS

After SCI, there was a statistically significant increase in serum MDA, tissue caspase-3, and Bax levels (MDA P < 0.001, caspase-3 P < 0.001, Bax P = 0.003). In the CoQ10 + ozone group, serum MDA (P = 0.002), tissue caspase-3 (P = 0.001), and Bax (P = 0.030) levels were significantly lower compared to the trauma group. Tissue Bcl-2 levels were also significantly higher (P = 0.019). The combined treatment group demonstrated improved histopathological, ultrastructural, and neurological outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that CoQ10 + ozone therapy in traumatic SCI demonstrates neuroprotective effects via antioxidant and antiapoptotic mechanisms. The positive effects on functional recovery are supported by data from biochemical, histopathological, ultrastructural, and neurological examinations.

Apoptosis Regulation in Dental Pulp Cells and PD-1/PD-L1 Expression Dynamics Under Ozone Exposure - A Pilot Approach

This study aimed to determine the effect of ozone on the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 genes in dental pulp cells. Additionally, the programmed cell death protein 1, programmed death-ligand 1, and CD200 antigens were determined in lymphocytes to assess their surface expression. Dental pulp cells were cultured from extracted healthy third molars and characterized as dental pulp stromal cells. Gene expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was analyzed at 0 s, 6 s, and 12 s of ozone exposure using real-time PCR. Lymphocytes from dental pulp were subjected to ozone exposure for 12 s and PD-1, PD-L1, and CD200/CD200R expression was analyzed by flow cytometry. Upon exposure to ozone for 6 s, the Bcl-2 expression decreased significantly to -0.09, and at 12 s, it increased significantly to 0.3. Bax gene expression level increased significantly to 0.188 after 6 s exposure, and at 12 s, to 0.16. Lymphocytes exposed to ozone for 12 s showed minimal changes in PD-1, PD-L1, and CD200/CD200R expression levels, indicating that oxidative stress does not impact the signaling pathways regulating these molecules. The significant upregulation of Bcl-2 at 12 s highlights the cells' effort to protect themselves from prolonged oxidative stress, possibly tipping the balance toward cell survival and tissue repair. However, the absence of changes in PD-1 and PD-L1 expression on lymphocytes under oxidative stress suggests that these molecules are not sensitive to oxidative stress in this context.

The Protective Role of Ozone Therapy in Kidney Disease: A Review

Ozone (O3) is a reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can interact with cellular components and cause oxidative stress. Following said logic, if O3 induces such a stressful milieu, how does it exert antioxidant functions? This is mediated by controlled toxicity produced by low concentrations of O3, which enhance the cell’s suppliance of antioxidant properties without causing any further damage. Therapeutic concentrations vary extensively, although 50 µg/mL is commonly used in experimental and clinical procedures, given that augmented concentrations might work as germicides or cause endogenous damage. O3 therapy has been shown to be effective when applied before or after traumatic renal procedures, whether caused by ischemia, xenobiotics, chronic damage, or other models. In this review, we focus on discussing the role of O3 therapy in different models of kidney damage associated with fibrosis, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation. We integrate and report knowledge about O3 in renal therapy, debunking skepticism towards unconventional medicine, explaining its proven therapeutic properties, and thus providing background for its use in further research as well as in clinical settings.

Ozone preconditioning protects rabbit heart against global ischemia-reperfusion injury in vitro by up-regulating HIF-1α

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) is a major factor that leads to cardiac dysfunction in cardiovascular surgery during extracorporeal circulation. Recent studies have found that ozone (O₃) has protective effect on MIRI caused by the anterior descending branch of the ligated left coronary artery. However, whether O₃ preconditioning has the same protective effect on global MIRI and the mechanism underlying this clinical treatment remains elusive. Here, we hypothesized that O₃ preconditioning (O₃P) could protect rabbit heart against global MIRI in vitro by up-regulating HIF-1α. Rabbits were treated intraperitoneally with O₂/O₃ mixture with different concentrations and then injected with YC-1 (inhibitor of HIF-1α) before the establishment of the global MIRI model using the Langendorff isolated heart perfusion apparatus. We investigated the effects of O₃ preconditioning on cardiac systolic function, myocardial infarction, inflammatory response, mitochondrial function, myocardial pathological changes and arrhythmias. We found that the heart with O₃ preconditioning significantly increased HR, LVDP and IL-10 expression, and decreased IL-6 expression, CK-MB, cTnT and cTnI concentration, myocardial infarction area, myocardial pathological injury and the occurrence of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. Meanwhile, the level of HIF-1α was significantly increased. However, after treatment of specific inhibitor of HIF-1α, the protective effect of O₃ preconditioning was reversed completely. Our data indicates that O₃ preconditioning has protective effect on MIRI and this protective effect is positively associated with dosage of O₃. Energy metabolism disorder is the initial stage of MIRI and up-regulation of HIF-1α plays an important role in reducing mitochondrial dysfunction.

Ozone protects cardiomyocytes against ischemia/reperfusion injury: Regulating the heat shock protein 70 (HPS70) expression through activating the JAK2/STAT3 Pathway

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury causes complications in early coronary artery reperfusion for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Ozone (O₃) has been reported to be applied for protecting I/R injury, but its detailed mechanism remains unclear. Our study focused on the protective effect of O₃ pretreatment on myocardial I/R injury and JAK2/STAT3 signaling and HSP70 regulation involving in the mediation. The rat hearts which were perfused and isolated as well as the cultured cardiomyocytes of neonatal rat were exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) and different concentrations of O₃ followed by heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) siRNA treatment. The results showed O₃ attenuated the suppression of cell viability induced by H/R and decreased the release of activity of creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in vitro. Moreover, O₃ also activated the JAK2/STAT3 signaling, upregulated the expression of HSP70 both in vitro and vivo, and decreased the index of apoptosis of cardiomyocytes caused by I/R as well as myocardial infarct area in vivo. In addition, HSP70 siRNA and JAK2 inhibitor AG490 inhibited the cardioprotective effect of O₃. And the expression of HSP70 increased by ozone was reduced by AG-490. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that ozone protects cardiomyocytes in I/R injury through regulation of the expression of HSP70 by activating the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Effect of local ozone treatment on rats with anterior rectal resection and the possible mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Anterior resection syndrome (ARS) is characterized by the diverse and interchangeable evacuatory symptoms that may occur following distal colorectal resection. We aimed to investigate the effect and potential mechanisms of ozone perfusion on rats with anterior rectal resection (ARR).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

After establishment of rat ARR model, 20, 40 and 80 ug/ml ozone was used to treat rats by enema administration. The pathological examination of intestinal tissue was detected using hematoxylin-eosin staining. The rate of loose stools, minimum threshold volume of abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) and Bristol grade were used to evaluate the degree of abnormal defecation function. Subsequently, the levels of oxidative stress- and inflammation-related markers, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) in the serum and intestinal tissue were determined with the corresponding kits. Meanwhile, the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65, transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV)1, TRPV4, iNOS and 5-HT receptor 3A (5-HTR3A) was determined with RT-qPCR and western blotting.

RESULTS

Ozone administration (20 and 40 ug/ml) significantly alleviated the pathological changes of intestinal tissue-induced by ARR, accompanied by the decreased loose stools rate, Bristol score and increased abdominal withdraw reflex. However, 80 ug/ml of ozone intervention played opposite roles in the aforementioned changes with 20 and 40 ug/ml of ozone. Additionally, remarkably elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS), malonaldehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), 5-HT, iNOS and NO levels were observed in the ozone-treated groups (20 and 40 ug/ml), while high dose of ozone drastically improved ROS, MDA, 5-HT, iNOS and NO levels but reduced the activity of SOD. Consistently, the contents of inflammatory factors were decreased after low and middle doses of ozone administration. However, high dose of ozone aggravated the inflammatory injury. Moreover, 20 and 40 ug/ml ozone upregulated TRPV1 and TRPV4 expression but downregulated 5-HTR3A expression, which was restored after 80 ug/ml of ozone intervention. Remarkably, the levels of NF-κB p65 and iNOS were dose-dependently enhanced following ozone treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, low concentration of ozone attenuated intestinal injury induced by ARR via balancing oxidative stress and inflammation, but high concentration of ozone exacerbated the intestinal injury, which might be related to the 5-HT and TRPV signaling.

Renal Protective Effect of Beluga Lentil Pretreatment for Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Materials and Methods

Mice were divided into four groups: normal, untreated, low- (2 mg), and high-dose (8 mg) beluga lentil treatment groups. Beluga lentil was orally administered for 2 weeks, followed by bilateral renal ischemia for 20 min and reperfusion for 30 min. Blood samples and kidney tissues were collected and analyzed to investigate renal function, histopathology, epithelial and endothelial cell damage, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses.

Results

The pretreated groups maintained renal function, with significantly lower blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels, compared with the other groups. The histopathological analysis showed reduced proximal tubule injury and decreased injury-related molecule (kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL)) secretion in the pretreated groups compared with the other groups. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling- (TUNEL-) positive cells and the secretion of apoptosis-related molecules (Fas and caspase 3) were significantly reduced in the pretreated groups compared with the other groups. The pretreated groups showed positive microvessel-associated gene (cluster of differentiation (CD31)) expression and negative adhesion molecule (intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1)) expression. An antioxidant effect was observed in the pretreatment groups, with reduced malonaldehyde (MDA) expression and increased antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) secretion. In the pretreated groups, F4/80+ macrophages and CD4+ T cell infiltration were inhibited and proinflammatory cytokine (interleukin- (IL-) 1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α) levels decreased; however, the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (transforming growth factor- (TGF-) β, IL-10, and IL-22) increased.

Conclusions

Beluga lentil pretreatment demonstrated protective effects against I/R-induced renal damage, via antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities.

Ozone: a natural bioactive molecule with antioxidant property as potential new strategy in aging and in neurodegenerative disorders

Systems medicine is founded on a mechanism-based approach and identifies in this way specific therapeutic targets. This approach has been applied for the transcription factor nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2). Nrf2 plays a central role in different pathologies including neurodegenerative disorders (NDs), which are characterized by common pathogenetic features. We here present wide scientific background indicating how a natural bioactive molecule with antioxidant/anti-apoptotic and pro-autophagy properties such as the ozone (O₃) can represent a potential new strategy to delay neurodegeneration. Our hypothesis is based on different evidence demonstrating the interaction between O₃ and Nrf2 system. Through a meta-analytic approach, we found a significant modulation of O₃ on endogenous antioxidant-Nrf2 (p < 0.00001, Odd Ratio (OR) = 1.71 95%CI:1.17-2.25) and vitagene-Nrf2 systems (p < 0.00001, OR = 1.80 95%CI:1.05-2.55). O₃ activates also immune, anti-inflammatory signalling, proteasome, releases growth factors, improves blood circulation, and has antimicrobial activity, with potential effects on gut microbiota. Thus, we provide a consistent rationale to implement future clinical studies to apply the oxygen-ozone (O₂-O₃) therapy in an early phase of aging decline, when it is still possible to intervene before to potentially develop a more severe neurodegenerative pathology. We suggest that O₃ along with other antioxidants (polyphenols, mushrooms) implicated in the same Nrf2-mechanisms, can show neurogenic potential, providing evidence as new preventive strategies in aging and in NDs.

Ozone alleviates ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting mitochondrion-mediated apoptosis pathway in SH-SY5Y cells

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injuries are common and often cause severe complications. Ozone has been applied for protecting I/R injury in animal models of several organs including cerebra, but the detailed mechanism remains unclear. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and lactate dehydrogenase measurement were used to determine the influence of ozone on cell activity and damage of SH-SY5Y cells. Some redox items such as catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ_m ) was determined by JC-1 assay. Cytochrome-c (cyt-c) level in the cytoplasm and mitochondrion was measured by western blotting. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry, and some apoptosis-related molecules were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Ozone alleviated oxidative damage by increasing GSH-Px, SOD, CAT, and decreasing MDA. Ozone decreased mitochondrial damage caused by I/R injury and inhibited the release of cyt-c from mitochondrion to cytoplasm in SH-SY5Y cells. The cell apoptosis caused by I/R was inhibited by ozone, and ozone could decrease apoptosis by increasing the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax and inhibiting caspase signaling pathway in SH-SY5Y cells. Ozone has the ability of maintaining redox homeostasis, decreasing mitochondrion damage, and inhibiting neurocytes apoptosis induced by I/R. Therefore, ozone may be a promising protective strategy against cerebral I/R injury.

Controlled ozone therapy modulates the neurodegenerative changes in the frontal cortex of the aged albino rat

Aging is a normal process associated with neurodegenerative changes resulting in decline of cognitive and motor functions. Oxidative stress plays an important role. Controlled ozone (O₃) therapy has been proved to induce oxidative preconditioning thus reversing oxidative stress. To the best of our knowledge, this research is the first attempt to investigate whether the antioxidant properties of O₃ can ameliorate age-associated structural alterations of the cerebral cortex. Ozone administration (at a dose of 0.7mg/kg intraperitonially, three times a week for eight weeks) produced significant downregulation of tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and upregulation of glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) within the frontal cortex of aged rats. Sections of the frontal cortex from adult and aged rats were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and analyzed using light microscopy. In addition, quantitative immunohistochemical assessments of the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), caspase-3, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Ki67 and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were performed. Our results revealed the beneficial effect of O₃ in improving the neurodegenerative changes of the cerebral cortex of aged rats. Moreover, this study clarified that O₃ exerted its effects via reducing oxidative stress, apoptosis, gliosis as well as improving neurogenesis and cholinergic plasticity. This work added to the previously proved aging - associated neurodegenerative effects and provided a new insight into the promising role of O₃ to ameliorate these effects.

Mechanisms of pathophysiology of blood vessels in patients with multiple sclerosis treated with ozone therapy: a systematic review

Multiple sclerosis (MS) defines as an intricate disease with numerous pathophysiological processes, including: inflammation, demyelination, oxidative stress, axonal damage, and repair mechanisms that interfere in this disease and highly related to the pathogenesis of MS. In parallel, recent studies have shown that the ozone administration could be very useful in treating neurological disorders and inflammatory and degenerative neurological diseases. In this review, we examine the recent literature on the pathophysiology of blood vessels in patients with multiple sclerosis treated with ozone therapy. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Postconditioning Ozone Alleviates Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury and Enhances Flap Endurance in Rats

Introduction: Muscle-flap transferring is a routine approach utilized in reconstructive operations; however, flap morbidity is often a source of post-operative difficulty. Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury (IRI) is an important contributor to the viability of flaps after transferring. The goal of this research was for assess the probable useful impacts of ozone on flap survival in a rat muscle-flap design. Materials and Methods: We examined the effects of postconditioning ozone administration on viability of pedicled composite flaps. Twenty-eight Wistar rats were randomized into four groups: sham-operated (S), ischemia-reperfusion (IR), sham-operated + ozone (O), IR + ozone (IR + O), respectively. The animals were sacrificed on the eighth day. In a general histological evaluation, flap tissues were examined with a light microscope, and apoptotic cells were counted. The Apoptotic Index (AI) was then calculated. Flap-tissue samples were sent for analyses of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and protein carbonyl (PCO), and blood samples were sent for analyses of Total Oxidant Score (TOS), and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC). Data were evaluated statistically using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: The histomorphometric score was remarkably greater in O (p = .002). The AI was greater in IR (p = .002). The antioxidant parameters values as regards SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, and TAC were found to be greater in O (p < .005). The oxidant parameters values as regards MDA, PCO, TOS were found to be greater in IR (p < .005). Discussion: The current research indicates that ozone application can attenuate the muscle-flap injury brought about by IR through triggering the increase of the antioxidant capacity.

An experimental study on the preventive effects of N-acetyl cysteine and ozone treatment against contrast-induced nephropathy

PURPOSE

To compare the preventive effects of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), ozone preconditioning and ozone treatment against contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in an experimental rat model.

METHODS

Thirty adult male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into five groups (n=6 for each group). Group I served as control and Group II had only contrast agent, while Group III received NAC and Group IV received intraperitoneal ozone 6 hours before and 6 hours after introduction of contrast agent. Ozone treatment was applied for 5 days after the contrast agent was introduced in Group V. After induction of CIN, groups were compared in terms of serum levels of urea, creatinine, neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin, protein carbonyl, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) as well as degree of renal injury at histopathologic level.

RESULTS

Groups II-V displayed more obvious histopathological alterations such as hemorrhage and renal tubular injury compared with Group I. TAC (p=0.043) and creatinine (p=0.046) levels increased significantly in Group II after the intervention. In Group III, protein carbonyl level diminished remarkably (p=0.046), while creatinine level was increased (p=0.046) following the intervention. TAC level was higher in Group IV (p=0.028) and Group V (p=0.026) following the procedure.

CONCLUSION

The N-acetyl cysteine and ozone treatment may alleviate the biochemical and histopathological deleterious effects of contrast-induced nephropathy via enhancement of total antioxidant capacity and decreasing oxidative stress.

Ozone protects the rat lung from ischemia-reperfusion injury by attenuating NLRP3-mediated inflammation, enhancing Nrf2 antioxidant activity and inhibiting apoptosis

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major cause of lung dysfunction during cardiovascular surgery, heart transplantation and cardiopulmonary bypass procedures, and the inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and apoptosis play key and allegedly maladaptive roles in its pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to initially elucidate whether ozone induces oxidative preconditioning by activating nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and secondly to determine whether ozone oxidative preconditioning (OzoneOP) protects the lung from IRI by attenuating nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3)-mediated inflammation, enhancing the antioxidant activity of Nrf2 and inhibiting apoptosis. Rats treated with or without OzoneOP (2 ml containing 100 µg/kg/day) were subjected to 1 h of lung ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion for 10 days. Lung damage, antioxidant capacity, inflammation and apoptosis were evaluated and compared among different groups after reperfusion. OzoneOP significantly ameliorated changes in lung morphology and protected the lung from IRI by attenuating oxidative stress, inflammation-induced injury and lung apoptosis. Moreover, OzoneOP increased the expression of Nrf2 and decreased the levels of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase activation and recruitment domain (ASC), un-cleavable cysteine-requiring aspartate protease-1 (procaspase-1), cysteine-requiring aspartate protease-1 (caspase-1) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the rat lungs. In summary, these results provide new insights into the molecular events modulated by ozone and suggest that ozone therapy may be an integrative support for patients with lung IRI.

Ozone oxidative postconditioning inhibits oxidative stress and apoptosis in renal ischemia and reperfusion injury through inhibition of MAPK signaling pathway

Background

Ozone has been used as a curative agent for a variety of different diseases for over 150 years. In our previous study, we found that ozone oxidative preconditioning could alleviate renal damage induced by ischemia and reperfusion injury (I/R). Although this method had obvious protective effects in the reduction of I/R, its clinical application remains limited because this treatment must be commenced prior to the ischemic period, which is not practical in the clinic.

Purpose

In the present study, we investigated whether ozone oxidative postconditioning (OzoneOP) could attenuate renal I/R in vivo and in vitro, as well as the mechanisms underlying the effects of this treatment.

Methods

Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to right renal ischemia for 45 min and reperfusion for 24 h, or to sham operation with the left kidney removed, both with and without OzoneOP. In addition, normal rat kidney tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E) were chosen to create a hypoxia–reoxygenation (H/R) model of 3 h hypoxia and 24 h reoxygenation processes, both with or without OzoneOP and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors.

Results

Our results showed that OzoneOP significantly reversed apoptosis and the abnormal superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde levels induced by I/R or H/R. OzoneOP also inhibited activation of the MAPK pathways both in vivo and in vitro, which resulted in significant protection against apoptosis and oxidative stress.

Conclusion

Our current data provide evidence that OzoneOP might serve as a potential therapy for renal I/R.

Medical ozone therapy reduces oxidative stress and testicular damage in an experimental model of testicular torsion in rats

OBJECTIVE

Testicular torsion (TT) refers to rotation of the testis and twisting of the spermatic cord. TT results in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury involving increased oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis, and can even lead to infertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ozone therapy on testicular damage due to I/R injury in an experimental torsion model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups; sham-operated, torsion/detorsion (T/D), and T/D+ozone. Ozone (1mg/kg) was injected intraperi-toneally 120 minutes before detorsion and for the following 24h. Blood and tissue samples were collected at the end of 24h. Johnsen score, ischemia modified albumin (IMA), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels were determined.

RESULTS

Levels of IMA, TOS, OSI, and histopathological scores increased in the serum/tissue of the rats in the experimental T/D group. Serum IMA, TOS, and OSI levels and tissue histo-pathological scores were lower in the rats treated with ozone compared with the T/D group.

CONCLUSION

Our study results suggest that ozone therapy may exhibit beneficial effects on both biochemical and histopathological findings. Clinical trials are now necessary to confirm this.

The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib attenuates renal fibrosis in mice via the suppression of TGF-β1

Kidney fibrosis and fibrogenesis significantly exacerbate chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression and are essential therapeutic targets. Bortezomib (BZM) is a proteasome inhibitor used for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). Several studies have demonstrated that BZM attenuates renal impairment in patients with MM, although this effect is generally considered to be the result of MM remission. Recently, several studies on BZM reported anti-fibrotic effects on liver and skin in experimental animal models. However, its effect on renal fibrosis has yet to be examined. Here, we investigated the anti-fibrotic effects of BZM in an experimental mouse model of fibrosis that uses aristolochic acid I (AA). Ten weeks of AA administration with BZM treatment twice a week significantly attenuated AA-induced renal dysfunction and albuminuria, reduced the expression of renal fibrosis-related proteins and kidney injury markers, such as αSMA, Kim1, and Ngal, and prevented renal fibrosis at the level of histopathology. Furthermore, pathological activation of TGFβ1-Smad3 signaling and apoptosis, essential pathophysiological causes of AA-induced nephropathy (AAN), were ameliorated by BZM, suggesting this mechanism may be involved in improving fibrosis in AAN. In conclusion, BZM directly inhibits renal fibrosis in CKD via suppression of TGFβ1-Smad3 signaling and is promising in terms of drug repositioning.

Ozone Therapy Protects Against Rejection in a Lung Transplantation Model: A New Treatment?

BACKGROUND

No satisfactory treatment exists for chronic rejection (CR) after lung transplantation (LT). Our objective was to assess whether ozone (O₃) treatment could ameliorate CR.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley inbred rats (n = 36) were randomly assigned into four groups: (1) control (n = 6), (2) sham (n = 6), (3) LT (n = 12), and (4) O₃-LT (n = 12). Animals underwent left LT. O₃ was rectally administered daily for 2 weeks before LT (from 20 to 50 μg) and 3 times/wk (50 μg/dose) up to 3 months. CR; acute rejection; and Hspb27, Prdx, Epas1, Gpx3, Vegfa, Sftpa1, Sftpb, Plvap, Klf2, Cldn5, Thbd, Dsip, Fmo2, and Sepp1 mRNA gene expression were determined.

RESULTS

Severe CR was observed in all animals of LT group, but none of the O₃-LT animals showed signs of CR, just a mild acute rejection was observed in 1 animal. A significant decrease of Hspb27, Prdx, Epas1, Gpx3, Vegfa, Sftpa1, Sftpb, Plvap, Klf2, Cldn5, Thbd, Dsip, and Fmo2 gene expression in the O₃-LT group was observed CONCLUSIONS: O₃ therapy significantly delayed the onset of CR regulating the expression of genes involved in its pathogenesis. No known immunosuppressive therapy has been capable of achieving similar results. From a translational point of view, O₃ therapy could become a new adjuvant treatment for CR in patients undergoing LT.

Effects of Exposure to Ozone on the Ocular Surface in an Experimental Model of Allergic Conjunctivitis

Based on previous findings that ozone can induce an inflammatory response in the ocular surface of an animal model and in cultured human conjunctival epithelial cells, we investigated whether exposure to ozone exacerbates symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. We evaluated the effects of exposure to ozone on conjunctival chemosis, conjunctival injection, corneal and conjunctival fluorescein staining scores, production of inflammatory cytokines in tears, and aqueous tear production in a mouse model of allergic conjunctivitis. To validate our in vivo results, we used interleukin (IL)-1α-pretreated conjunctival epithelial cells as an in vitro substitute for the mouse model. We evaluated whether exposure to ozone increased the inflammatory response and altered oxidative status and mitochondrial function in IL-1α-pretreated conjunctival epithelial cells. In the in vivo study, ozone induced increases in conjunctival chemosis, conjunctival injection, corneal and conjunctival fluorescein staining scores, and production of inflammatory cytokines, accompanied by a decrease in tear volume. In the in vitro study, exposure to ozone led to additional increases in IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA levels, which were already induced by treatment with IL-1α. Ozone did not induce any changes in cell viability. Pretreatment with IL-1α increased the expression of manganese superoxide dismutase, and exposure to ozone led to additional increments in the expression of this antioxidant enzyme. Ozone did not induce any changes in mitochondrial activity or expression of mitochondrial enzymes and proteins related to mitochondrial function, with the exception of phosphor-mammalian target of rapamycin. Treatment with butylated hydroxyanisole, a free radical scavenger, attenuated the ozone-induced increases in IL-6 expression in IL-1α-pretreated conjunctival epithelial cells. Therefore, we conclude that exposure to ozone exacerbates the detrimental effects on the integrity of the ocular surface caused by conjunctival allergic reactions, and further increases the inflammatory response in IL-1α-pretreated conjunctival epithelial cells.

Major Ozonated Autohemotherapy Preconditioning Ameliorates Kidney Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Medical ozone has therapeutic properties as an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, modulator of antioxidant defense system. Major ozonated autohemotherapy (MOA) is a new therapeutic approach that is widely used in the treatment of many diseases. The objective of the present study was to determine whether preischemic application of MOA would attenuate renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in rabbits. Twenty-four male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into four groups, each including six animals: (1) Sham-operated group, (2) Ozone group (the MOA group without IRI), (3) IR group (60 min ischemia followed by 24 h reperfusion), and (4) IR + MOA group (MOA group). The effects of MOA were examined by use of hematologic and biochemical parameters consisting of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI). In addition, the histopathological changes including the tubular brush border loss (TBBL), tubular cast (TC), tubular necrosis (TN), intertubular hemorrhage and congestion (IHC), dilatation of bowman space (DBS), and interstitial inflammatory cells infiltration (IECI) were evaluated. In the IR group, compared to the Sham group, biochemical parameters indicating oxidative stress, NLR, IL-6, TNF-α, IMA, TOS, and OSI have increased. MOA reduced inflammation and oxidative stress parameters. Although TAS values have decreased in the IR group and increased in the MOA-pretreated group, no significant changes in TAS values were detected between the IR and MOA groups. The total score was obtained by summing all the scores from morphological kidney damage markers. The total score has increased with IR damage when compared with the Sham group (13.83 ± 4.30 vs 1.51 ± 1.71; p = 0.002). But, the total score has decreased significantly after application of MOA (5.01 ± 1.49; p = 0.002; compared with the IR group). MOA preconditioning is effective in reducing tissue damage induced in kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury. The protective effect of MOA is mediated via reducing inflammatory response and regulating of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Renal histology also showed convincing evidence regarding MOA's protective nature against kidney injury induced renal ischemia-reperfusion. Consequently, MOA might be helpful in protecting the kidneys from IR-induced damage in humans, probably through the anti-inflammatory effect and reducing the total oxidant status.

Beneficial effects of nontoxic ozone on H2O2-induced stress and inflammation

In this study, the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacy of ozone oxidative preconditioning (OOP) were investigated on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced human lung alveolar cells. In MTT and trypan blue viability tests, while 100 μmol/L H2O2caused a 17.3% and 21.9% decrease in the number of living cells, respectively, ozone at 20 μmol/L regenerated cell proliferation and prevented 9.6% and 11.0% of cell loss, respectively. In addition, H2O2decreased the transcription levels of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) 5.43-, 2.89-, and 5.33-fold, respectively, while it increased Bax, NF-κβ, TNF-α, and iNOS expression 1.57-, 1.32-, 1.40-, and 1.41-fold, respectively. Ozone pretreatment, however, increased CAT, GPx, and SOD transcription levels 7.08-, 5.17-, and 6.49-fold and decreased Bax, NF-κβ, TNF-α, and iNOS transcriptions by 1.25-, 0.76-, 3.63-, and 7.91-fold, respectively. Moreover, intracellular glutathione (GSH) level and SOD activity were decreased by 46.2% and 45.0% in the H2O2treatment group, and OOP recovered 58.5% and 20.1% of the decreases caused by H2O2. H2O2also increased nitrite levels 7.84-fold, and OOP reduced this increase by half. Consequently, OOP demonstrated potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on in vitro model of oxidative stress-induced lung injury.

Cerebrovascular pattern improved by ozone autohemotherapy: an entropy-based study on multiple sclerosis patients

Ozone major autohemotherapy is effective in reducing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, but its effects on brain are still not clear. In this work, we have monitored the changes in the cerebrovascular pattern of MS patients and normal subjects during major ozone autohemotherapy by using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as functional and vascular technique. NIRS signals are analyzed using a combination of time, time-frequency analysis and nonlinear analysis of intrinsic mode function signals obtained from empirical mode decomposition technique. Our results show that there is an improvement in the cerebrovascular pattern of all subjects indicated by increasing the entropy of the NIRS signals. Hence, we can conclude that the ozone therapy increases the brain metabolism and helps to recover from the lower activity levels which is predominant in MS patients.

Medical ozone therapy reduces shock wave therapy-induced renal injury

OBJECTIVES

Extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) lithotripsy is the preferred treatment modality for uncomplicated kidney stones. More recently free oxygen radical production following ESW application has been considered to be crucial in shock wave-induced renal damage. It has been shown that ozone therapy (OT) has ameliorative and preventive effects against various pathological conditions due to increased nitro-oxidative stress. In current study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of OT against ESW-induced renal injury.

METHODS

Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: sham-operated, ESW, and ESW + OT groups. All groups except sham-operated group were subjected to ESW procedure. ESW + OT group received 1 mg/kg/day of oxygen/ozone mixture intraperitoneally at 2 h before ESW, and OT was continued once a day for consecutive three days. The animals were killed at the 4th day, and kidney tissue and blood samples were harvested for biochemical and histopathologic analysis.

RESULTS

Serum ALT and AST levels, serum neopterin, tissue nitrite/nitrate levels, and tissue oxidative stress parameters were increased in the ESW group and almost came close to control values in the treatment group (p < 0.05, ESW vs. ESW + OT). Histopathological injury scores were significantly lower in treatment group than the ESW group (p < 0.05, ESW vs. ESW + OT). Immunohistochemical iNOS staining scores in ESW group were higher than those of sham-operated group (p < 0.05, ESW vs. sham-operated), iNOS staining scores in OT group were significantly lower than the ESW group (p < 0.05, ESW + OT vs. ESW).

CONCLUSION

OT ameliorates nitro-oxidative stress and reduces the severity of pathological changes in the experimental ESW-induced renal injury of rat model.

Attenuation of renal ischemia/reperfusion injury by oleanolic acid preconditioning via its antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory, and anti‑apoptotic activities

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)‑associated acute kidney injury is a major clinical problem in both native and transplanted kidneys. Renal I/R, and subsequent renal injury, may be attributed to oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Oleanolic acid (OA) is a natural product, which possesses antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory, and anti‑apoptotic activities. The present study aimed to examine the effects of OA preconditioning on renal I/R and the possible underlying mechanisms. In a renal I/R model, rats were administered OA (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg) for 15 consecutive days prior to bilateral renal I/R induction. Serum samples and kidneys were then collected and stored for subsequent determination. The results of the present study demonstrated that OA significantly and dose‑dependently attenuated I/R‑induced renal damage. OA prevented renal I/R injury, as evidenced by decreased levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, kidney injury molecule‑1 and lactate dehydrogenase. In addition, OA defended against oxidative stress, as reflected by decreased levels of methane dicarboxylic aldehyde, increased activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, and increased glutathione (GSH) levels. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines, interferon‑γ, interleukin (IL)‑6) and myeloperoxidase, were also reduced by OA, whereas the anti‑inflammatory cytokine IL‑10 was increased. Furthermore, OA prevented I/R‑induced apoptotic cell death, and prevented decreases in the mRNA expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2‑related factor 2 (Nrf2) and γ‑glutamylcysteine ligase (GCLc). Conversely, buthionine sulphoximine attenuated the protective effects of OA on renal I/R injury. These results indicated that OA preconditioning may prevent I/R‑induced renal damage via antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory, and anti‑apoptotic activities. Stabilization of Nrf2/GCLc signaling and subsequent maintenance of the GSH pool is critical for the protective effects of OA against renal I/R injury. The present study reported a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of renal I/R injury.

The protective effect of prophylactic ozone administration against retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury

INTRODUCTION

Retinal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is associated with many ocular diseases. Retinal IR injury leads to the death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), loss of retinal function and ultimately vision loss. The aim of this study was to show the protective effects of prophylactic ozone administration against retinal IR injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A sham group (S) (n = 7) was administered physiological saline (PS) intraperitoneally (i.p.) for 7 d. An ischemia reperfusion (IR) group (n = 7) was subjected to retinal ischemia followed by reperfusion for 2 h. An ozone group (O) (n = 7) was administered 1 mg/kg of ozone i.p. for 7 d. In the ozone + IR (O + IR) group (n = 7), 1 mg/kg of ozone was administered i.p. for 7 d before the IR procedure and at 8 d, the IR injury was created (as in IR group). The rats were anesthetized after second hour of reperfusion and their intracardiac blood was drawn completely and they were sacrificed. Blood samples were sent to a laboratory for analysis of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant score (TOS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The degree of retinal injury was evaluated according to changes in retinal cells and necrotic and apoptotic cells using the TUNEL method. Data were evaluated statistically with the Kruskal-Wallis test.

RESULTS

The number of RGCs and the inner retinal thickness were significantly decreased after ischemia, and treatment with ozone significantly inhibited retinal ischemic injury. In the IR group, the degree of retinal injury was found to be the highest. In the O + IR group, retinal injury was found to be decreased in comparison to the IR group. In the ozone group without retinal IR injury, the retinal injury score was the lowest. The differences in the antioxidant parameters SOD, GSH-Px and TAC were increased in the ozone group and the lowest in the IR group. The oxidant parameters MDA and TOS were found to be the highest in the IR group and decreased in the ozone group.

DISCUSSION

IR injury is also positively correlated with the degree of early apoptosis. This study demonstrated that ozone can attenuate subsequent ischemic damage in the rat retina through triggering the increase of the antioxidant capacity.

Study on the effect of black cumin (Nigella sativa Linn.) on experimental renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of Black cumin (Nigella sativa Linn.) pre-treatment on renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) induced injury in the rats.

METHODS

A total of 40 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into five equal groups including Sham, I/R model and three I/R+ Black cumin (0.5, 1 and 2%)-treated groups. I/R groups' kidneys were subjected to 60 min of global ischemia at 37°C followed by 24 h of reperfusion. At the end of reperfusion period, the rats were euthanized. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities as well as reduced glutathione and renal malondialdehyde contents were determined in renal tissues. Kidney function tests and histopathological examination were also performed.

RESULTS

High serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid as well as malondialhehyde (MDA) levels, and low antioxidant enzyme activities were observed in I/R rats compared to the sham rats. Pre-treatment with Black cumin for three weeks prior to IR operation improved renal function and reduced I/R induced renal inflammation and oxidative injury. These biochemical observations were supported by histopathological test of kidney sections.

CONCLUSION

Black cumin significantly prevented renal ischemia/reperfusion induced functional and histological injuries.

Methane-rich saline attenuates ischemia/reperfusion injury of abdominal skin flaps in rats via regulating apoptosis level

Background

In plastic surgery, skin damage induced by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is a multifactorial process that often occurs. Methane gas has been reported to be a new therapeutic gas for attenuating I/R injury. In this study, we assessed the effects of methane-rich saline (MRS) in regulating apoptosis on skin flap I/R injury.

Methods

Male Sprague–Dawley rats, 6–8 weeks old, were divided randomly into three groups: one sham surgery group (SH) and two surgery groups. After undergoing 6 h of I/R management of an abdominal skin flap, surgery groups were treated with physiological saline (I/R-P) or methane-rich saline (I/R-M). On the 3rd postoperative day, a laser Doppler flowmeter was used to measure flap blood supply, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to observe morphological changes. TdT-mediated dUTP-X nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was also used to observe early apoptosis and is presented as the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells. Moreover, pASK-1, pJNK, Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by immunohistochemical technology. Caspase-3 activity was also measured to evaluate the effects of MRS.

Results

Compared to the I/R-P group, the flaps in the I/R-M group presented a larger survival area and better blood perfusion with less inflammatory infiltration and cell apoptosis, a higher expression of Bcl-2, a lower expression of pASK-1, pJNK and Bax, and a lower caspase-3 activity.

Conclusion

According to the results, MRS attenuated I/R injury by regulating apoptosis and has the potential to be applied as a new therapy for improving skin flap survival.

The protective effect of ozone oxidative preconditioning against hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in rat kidney cells

Abstract Ozone (O3) has been viewed as a novel treatment for different diseases in these years and oxidative stress and apoptosis play a key role in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases including renal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). In the present study, we investigated the role of ozone oxidative preconditioning (OzoneOP) in attenuating oxidative stress and apoptosis in a hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury model using rat kidney cells. We induced H/R injury in kidney cells treated with or without OzoneOP. Oxidative stress parameters such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined, as well as some apoptotic proteins. We observed that oxidative stress and apoptosis were increased in H/R group compared to OzoneOP group; however, these changes were significantly decreased by the treatment with OzoneOP. We concluded that OzoneOP can protect the kidney cells against H/R injury and its mechanism may be through the reduction of oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Effect of copper nanoparticles and copper sulphate on oxidation stress, cell apoptosis and immune responses in the intestines of juvenile Epinephelus coioides

Copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) are widely used in various industrial and commercial applications, but little is known about their potential hazard in the intestines of marine teleosts. In this study we investigated the effects of Cu-NPs and soluble Cu in the intestines of juvenile Epinephelus coioides. The fish were exposed in triplicate to control, 20 or 100 μg Cu L(-1) as either copper sulphate (CuSO₄) or Cu-NPs for 25 days. With an increase in Cu-NPs or CuSO₄ dose, the concentration of malonaldehyde in the intestines significantly increased, whereas the activities of total superoxide dismutase and catalase as well as glutathione concentration decreased compared to the control. Statistical analysis of an apoptosis index of intestinal cells showed that general dose-dependent apoptosis was induced by Cu-NPs or CuSO₄, with Cu-NPs inducing the significantly higher apoptosis index than CuSOv. Caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities were increased with an increase in Cu-NPs or CuSO₄ dose, more so in the Cu-NPs than CuSO₄ treatment. With an increase in Cu-NPs or CuSOv dose, succinate dehydrogenase and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity and cytochrome c concentration in mitochondria decreased, accompanied by increased cytochrome c concentration in the cytosol. Concentration of heat shock proteins 70 and 90 in the intestines and expression of corresponding genes were enhanced with an increase in the Cu-NPs or CuSOv dose, but the concentrations and expressions of immunoglobulin M and lysozyme decreased (more in the Cu-NPs than CuSO₄ treatment) compared to the control. Expression of interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha showed a dose-dependent increase with the increased Cu-NPs or CuSO₄ dose, with the highest expression found in the Cu-NPs treatment. In conclusion, Cu-NPs had similar toxic effects as CuSOv in the intestines of juvenile E. coioides, but toxicity of Cu-NPs was more severe than that of CuSO₄.

Ischemic postconditioning attenuates inflammation in rats following renal ischemia and reperfusion injury

Ischemic postconditioning (IPoC) involves a series of brief rapid intermittent ischemic episodes applied at the onset of reperfusion in the previously ischemic tissue or organ. Previous studies have demonstrated that IPoC attenuates tissue damage induced by ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether IPoC has a beneficial effect on inflammation in a rat model of renal I/R injury. Wistar rats were subjected to 45 min of ischemia followed by 24, 72 or 120 h of reperfusion (I/R group). In the IPoC group, rats subjected to I/R were treated with six cycles of 10 sec reperfusion followed by a 10-sec ischemic episode. Blood samples were collected for the determination of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) levels. Furthermore, histological examination and immunohistochemical staining for the localization of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were performed. In addition, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis was used to determine the expression levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), while western blot analysis was used to detect the protein expression levels of NF-κB. The results indicated that the BUN and Cr levels increased significantly in the I/R group, while the IPoC rats showed evidently reduced renal damage. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the expression levels of NF-κB were decreased by IPoC. In addition, the qPCR results revealed that IPoC significantly inhibited the increased mRNA expression levels of ICAM-1, IL-6 and TNF-α, induced by I/R injury. Western blot analysis indicated that the expression levels of NF-κB were upregulated in the I/R group, while IPoC was shown to inhibit the expression. In conclusion, IPoC was demonstrated to exhibit potent anti-inflammatory properties against renal I/R injury.

Hydrogen-rich saline attenuates skin ischemia/reperfusion induced apoptosis via regulating Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and ASK-1/JNK pathway

INTRODUCTION

Many pathways have been reported involving the effect of hydrogen-rich saline on protecting skin flap partial necrosis induced by the inflammation of ischemia/reperfusion injury. This study focused on the influence of hydrogen-rich saline treatment on apoptosis pathway of ASK-1/JNK and Bcl-2/Bax radio in I/R injury of skin flaps.

METHODS

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups. Group 1 was sham surgery group, Group 2 and 3 were ischemia/reperfusion surgery treated with physiological saline and hydrogen-rich saline respectively. Blood perfusion of flap was measured by Laser doppler flowmeters. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe morphological changes. Early apoptosis in skin flap was observed through TUNEL staining and presented as the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells of total cells. pASK-1, pJNK, Bcl-2 and Bax were examined by immunodetection. In addition Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 were detected by qPCR. Caspase-3 activity was also measured.

RESULTS

Compared to the Group 2, tissues from the group 3 were observed with a high expression of Bcl-2 and a low expression of pASK-1, pJNK, and Bax, a larger survival area and a high level of blood perfusion. Hydrogen-rich saline ameliorated inflammatory infiltration and decreased cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that hydrogen-rich saline could ameliorate ischemia/reperfusion injury and improve flap survival rate by inhibiting the apoptosis factor and, at the same time, promoting the expression of anti-apoptosis factor.

Ozone oxidative preconditioning inhibits renal fibrosis induced by ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats

Ischemia and reperfusion injury (IRI) is a crucial contributor to the development of renal fibrosis. Ozone has been proposed as a novel medical therapy for various conditions, including organ IRI. The aim of this study was to investigate whether ozone oxidative preconditioning (OzoneOP) has a beneficial effect in preventing the development of renal fibrosis following IRI. Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to 45 min of ischemia followed by 8 weeks of reperfusion. Prior to surgery, rats in the OzoneOP group were treated with ozone and those in the IRI and Sham groups were untreated. Blood samples were collected for the detection of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) levels. To assess tissue fibrosis, Masson’s trichrome staining was performed. Immunohistochemistry was also performed to determine the localization of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting were conducted to analyze the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, α-SMA and Smad7. The levels of BUN and Cr did not significantly differ between groups. Rats pretreated with ozone showed markedly less interstitial fibrosis than untreated rats following IRI. In addition, immunohistochemistry revealed that α-SMA expression was attenuated in the OzoneOP group compared with the IRI group. RT-qPCR and western blot analysis showed that OzoneOP inhibited the IRI-induced increases in α-SMA and TGF-β1 expression levels, and that the IRI-induced reduction in the expression of Smad7 was inhibited in the OzoneOP group. The results indicate that OzoneOP has beneficial effects on ischemic renal fibrosis. OzoneOP may exert its protective effects by a mechanism involving modulation of the TGF-β1/Smad7 pathway.

Coenzyme Q10 benefits symptoms in Gulf War veterans: results of a randomized double-blind study

We sought to assess whether coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) benefits the chronic multisymptom problems that affect one-quarter to one-third of 1990-1 Gulf War veterans, using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Participants were 46 veterans meeting Kansas and Centers for Disease Control criteria for Gulf War illness. Intervention was PharmaNord (Denmark) CoQ10 100 mg per day (Q100), 300 mg per day (Q300), or an identical-appearing placebo for 3.5 ± 0.5 months. General self-rated health (GSRH), the primary outcome, differed across randomization arms at baseline, and sex significantly predicted GSRH change, compelling adjustment for baseline GSRH and prompting sex-stratified analysis. GSRH showed no significant benefit in the combined-sex sample. Among males (85% of participants), Q100 significantly benefited GSRH versus placebo and versus Q300, providing emphasis on Q100. Physical function (summary performance score, SPS) improved on Q100 versus placebo. A rise in CoQ10 approached significance as a predictor of improvement in GSRH and significantly predicted SPS improvement. Among 20 symptoms each present in half or more of the enrolled veterans, direction-of-difference on Q100 versus placebo was favorable for all except sleep problems; sign test 19:1, p=0.00004) with several symptoms individually significant. Significance for these symptoms despite the small sample underscores large effect sizes, and an apparent relation of key outcomes to CoQ10 change increases prospects for causality. In conclusion, Q100 conferred benefit to physical function and symptoms in veterans with Gulf War illness. Examination in a larger sample is warranted, and findings from this study can inform the conduct of a larger trial.

Effects of carbon tetrachloride on oxidative stress, inflammatory response and hepatocyte apoptosis in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

In the present study, the cellular and molecular mechanism of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in fish was investigated by studying the effects of CCl4 on the oxidative stress, inflammatory response and hepatocyte apoptosis. Common carp were given an intraperitoneal injection of 30% CCl4 in arachis oil (0.5ml/kg body weight). At 72h post-injection, blood were collected to measure glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), glutamate oxalate transaminase (GOT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and malondialdehyde (MDA), liver samples were taken to analyze toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and gene expressions of inflammatory cytokines and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB/cREL). Cell viability and apoptosis were analyzed after treatment of the primary hepatocytes with CCl4 at 8mM. The results showed that CCl4 significantly increased the levels of GPT, GOT, MDA, TLR4 and CYP2E1, reduced the levels of SOD, GPx, CAT, GSH and T-AOC, and up-regulated the gene expressions of NF-κB/cREL and inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-12. In vitro, CCl4 caused a dramatic loss in cell viability and induced hepatocyte apoptosis. Overall results suggest that oxidative stress lipid peroxidation, and TNF-α/NF-κB and TRL4/NF-κB signaling pathways play important roles in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in fish.

Positive oxidative stress in aging and aging-related disease tolerance

It is now well established that reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), and a basal level of oxidative stress are essential for cell survival. It is also well known that while severe oxidative stress often leads to widespread oxidative damage and cell death, a moderate level of oxidative stress, induced by a variety of stressors, can yield great beneficial effects on adaptive cellular responses to pathological challenges in aging and aging-associated disease tolerance such as ischemia tolerance. Here in this review, I term this moderate level of oxidative stress as positive oxidative stress, which usually involves imprinting molecular signatures on lipids and proteins via formation of lipid peroxidation by-products and protein oxidation adducts. As ROS/RNS are short-lived molecules, these molecular signatures can thus execute the ultimate function of ROS/RNS. Representative examples of lipid peroxidation products and protein oxidation adducts are presented to illustrate the role of positive oxidative stress in a variety of pathological settings, demonstrating that positive oxidative stress could be a valuable prophylactic and/or therapeutic approach targeting aging and aging-associated diseases.

Protective effects of aliskiren on ischemia-reperfusion-induced renal injury in rats

The protective effect of aliskiren on ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in the heart and brain has been reported. Whether or not this protective effect extends into the alleviation of renal I/R injury is not known. Therefore, we investigated the protective effect of aliskiren in the kidney in this study. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham control group; sham control with aliskiren pretreatment; I/R group and I/R with aliskiren pretreatment. Aliskiren (3mg/kg) or vehicle was administrated intravenously via vena cava. Blood samples and the left kidneys were then collected to check for renal function, angiotensin II (Ang II), apoptosis and oxidative stress levels. Compared with the sham rats, serum creatinine (SCR) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were significantly increased in the I/R rats, accompanied by histopathological damage to the kidney, which included tubular cell swelling, desquamation, and cast formation. There were also more apoptotic cells and leukocyte infiltration in the I/R rats than in the sham rats. Pretreatment with aliskiren ameliorated I/R induced renal injury, i.e. reduced SCR and BUN levels, ameliorated renal histopathological changes, and decreased the apoptosis of cells and leukocyte infiltration in kidney. I/R injury also decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH-reduced form) levels, which were blocked with the aliskiren pretreatment. Aliskiren pretreatment exerts a protective effect on ischemia/reperfusion injury in the kidney, via amelioration of oxidative stress, and reduction in leukocyte infiltration and cellular apoptosis.

Effects of ozone therapy on haemostatic and oxidative stress index in coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common cause of sudden death, and death of people over 20 years of age. Because ozone therapy can activate the antioxidant system and improve blood circulation and oxygen delivery to tissue, the aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of ozone in patients with CAD, treated with antithrombotic therapy, Aspirin and policosanol. A randomized controlled clinical trial was performed with 53 patients divided into two groups: one (n=27) treated with antithrombotic therapy and other (n=26) treated with antithrombotic therapy plus rectal insufflation of O(3). A parallel group (n=50) age and gender matched was used as reference for the experimental variables. The efficacy of the treatments was evaluated by comparing hemostatic indexes and biochemical markers of oxidative stress in both groups after 20 day of treatment. Ozone treatment significantly (P<0.001) improved prothrombin time when compared to the antithrombotic therapy only group, without modifying bleeding time. Combination antithrombotic therapy+O(3) improved the antioxidant status of patients reducing biomarkers of protein and lipid oxidation, enhancing total antioxidant status and modulating the level of superoxide dismutase and catalase with a 57% and 32% reduction in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities respectively, moving the redox environment to a status of low production of O(2)(•-) with an increase in H(2)O(2) detoxification. No side effects were observed. These results show that medical ozone treatment could be a complementary therapy in the treatment of CAD and its complications.

Protective and therapeutic effect of ozone on diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in rabbits

AIM: To assess whether ozone exerts a protective and therapeutic effect on inflammatory injury in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and atherosclerosis in rabbits.

METHODS: Twenty-four male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: model group (n = 10), ozone group (n = 4), and pravastatin plus aspirin group (n = 10). The experimental duration is 12 weeks. Rabbits were weighed once per week. Rabbits of all groups were given a high fat diet, and the ozone group and pravastatin plus aspirin group were additionally given ozone and pravastatin plus aspirin from the second week to the end of the experiment, respectively. The intimal-medial thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery and abdominal aorta was measured by ultrasound at weeks 2, 5, 8 and 12. HE staining was used to examine pathological changes in the carotid artery, aorta, liver, heart and kidney during the formation of NAFLD and AS. The contents of serum TC, LDL, HDL, ALT, γ-GT, Cr and UA were determined. ELISA was used to determine the changes in serum contents of 8-OHdG, TRX, 4-HNE, 8-iso-PGF2a, LEP, ADPN, FFA, ET, IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, MCP-1, hs-CRP, NOS, NO, GSH, reduced glutathione and GSH-Px.

RESULTS: At the end of the experiment, intimal thickening was observed, which suggests that nonalcoholic steatohepatitis was induced successfully. The body weight of rabbits in the ozone group was significantly lower than that in other groups. The percentage of area of aortic lipid deposition in the intima was statistically significant among the three groups (P = 0.037, P < 0.05), but no statistically significant difference was found in the thickness of lipid deposition (P > 0.05). The degree of balloon-like degeneration in the liver differed significantly among the three groups (P < 0.05); however, the degree of hepatic steatosis showed no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). The degree of lipid deposition in the heart and lipid degeneration of tubular epithelial cells in the kidney showed no statistically significant difference among different groups. Compared to the model group, serum levels of LEP, ADPN, IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1, hs-CRP, NOS, TRX, MDA, 4-HNE and 8-iso-PGF2a significantly increased and those of NO and reduced glutathione content decreased in the ozone group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Ozone reduces inflammatory injury in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and may be useful in preventing atherosclerosis. Ozone as an antioxidant does not cause visible damage to the liver, kidney and heart. Ozone can improve serum levels of inflammatory cytokines which are involved in oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation.

Selective ozone concentrations may reduce the ischemic damage after a stroke

Abstract Stroke is one of the most debilitating diseases, and it is unfortunate that only a small percentage of patients can be treated with thrombolytic agents. Consequently, there is an urgent need of finding an alternative procedure for reoxygenating the so-called penumbra at the earliest time as possible for reducing morbidity and disability. A preliminary, preclinical study has been carried out by using rat hippocampal and cortical brain slices subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation. Oxygen-ozone gaseous mixture appeared to be effective in reverting damage of brain tissues, supporting the evaluation of this approach in well-designed clinical trials in stroke patients.

Enhanced Hsp70 expression protects against acute lung injury by modulating apoptotic pathways

The Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a highly lethal inflammatory lung disorder. Apoptosis plays a key role in its pathogenesis. We showed that an adenovirus expressing the 70 kDa heat shock protein Hsp70 (AdHSP) protected against sepsis-induced lung injury. In this study we tested the hypothesis that AdHSP attenuates apoptosis in sepsis-induced lung injury.

Sepsis was induced in rats via cecal ligation and double puncture (2CLP). At the time of 2CLP PBS, AdHSP or AdGFP (an adenoviral vector expressing green fluorescent protein) were injected into the tracheas of septic rats. 48 hours later, lungs were isolated. One lung was fixed for TUNEL staining and immunohistochemistry. The other was homogenized to isolate cytosolic and nuclear protein. Immunoblotting, gel filtration and co-immunoprecipitation were performed in these extracts. In separate experiments MLE-12 cells were incubated with medium, AdHSP or AdGFP. Cells were stimulated with TNFα. Cytosolic and nuclear proteins were isolated. These were subjected to immunoblotting, co- immunoprecipitation and a caspase-3 activity assay.

TUNEL assay demonstrated that AdHSP reduced alveolar cell apoptosis. This was confirmed by immunohistochemical detection of caspase 3 abundance. In lung isolated from septic animals, immunoblotting, co-immunoprecipitation and gel filtration studies revealed an increase in cytoplasmic complexes containing caspases 3, 8 and 9. AdHSP disrupted these complexes.

We propose that Hsp70 impairs apoptotic cellular pathways via interactions with caspases. Disruption of large complexes resulted in stabilization of lower molecular weight complexes, thereby, reducing nuclear caspase-3. Prevention of apoptosis in lung injury may preserve alveolar cells and aid in recovery.