The ameliorative effect of ozone therapy on spinal cord ischemia in rabbits

Aim: Research in applications of O3 treatment for spinal cord ischemia is a rich area of study. The effects of O3 treatment on spinal cord ischemia have not been studied much to date. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of prophylactic administration of O3 on the recovery of ischemic changes in terms of oxidative stress markers in lysosomal and mitochondrial enzymatic activities in the spinal cord of male rabbits. Material and Method: Twenty-four New Zealand White (NZW) adult male rabbits (weight: 2.5-3 kg) were obtained from Saki Yenilli Experimental Animals Center (Ankara, Turkey). The rabbits were housed in plastic cages at a temperature of 21 +/- 2 degrees C, with 12 hours light/12 hours dark cyclus, fed with standard rabbit diet (Bil-Yem Ltd. Co., Ankara, Turkey) and water ad libitum for the duration of the experiment. Rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 rabbits. The first group was accepted as control and the second group was treated with 50 mu g/mL (20 mL) ozone by rectal insufflation 5 times per day. On the 10th day, animals were sacrificed. The third sham group had infrarenal abdominal aorta cross- clamping (IAACC) performed and were sacrificed 24 hours later. The fourth group was treated with 50 mu g/mL ozone (20 mL) by rectal insufflation 5 times per day and on the 10th day, IAACC was performed. Twenty-four hours later the animals were sacrficed. Results: When data obtained from the biochemical analysis were investigated (Table 1) in the groups with induced ischemia, the expected reduction in SOD, CAT, and GPX enzyme activities was observed and an increase in MPO activity was observed. The statistical difference between ozone administered groups and the control group was significant (p < 0.05). When the ischemia+ozone group is compared with the ischemia group, the results are significant and a statistical difference is observed (p < 0.05). When GPX values in the group with ischemia-induced were investigated, the enzyme activity values were very low. A serious increase was observed in the ozone administered treatment group (p < 0.05). Discussion: Ozone (O3) is a molecule carrying three oxygen atoms forming as a result of exposure of oxygen to high energy electric currents and ultraviolet (UV) light in nature. It is found as a gas at room temperature. It is colorless, and has a characteristic smell. As ozone has a high degree of oxidation strength, it is called active oxygen in medicine. Due to its ability to increase blood circulation, it is used for treatment, not just of disorders related to circulation, but as an aid to the renewal of organic functions disrupted by many diseases.