Effect of preconditioned hyperbaric oxygen and ozone on ischemia-reperfusion induced tourniquet in skeletal bone of rats

Effects of Soybean Trypsin Inhibitor on Pancreatic Oxidative Damage of Mice at Different Growth Periods

The bioactive components in soybeans have significant physiological functions. However, the intake of soybean trypsin inhibitor (STI) may cause metabolic disorders. To investigate the effect of STI intake on pancreatic injury and its mechanism of action, a five-week animal experiment was conducted, meanwhile, a weekly monitor on the degree of oxidation and antioxidant indexes in the serum and pancreas of the animals was carried out. The results showed that the intake of STI had irreversible damage to the pancreas, according to the analysis of the histological section. Malondialdehyde (MDA) in the pancreatic mitochondria of Group STI increased significantly and reached a maximum (15.7 nmol/mg prot) in the third week. Meanwhile, the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), trypsin (TPS), and somatostatin (SST) were decreased and reached minimum values (10 U/mg prot, 87 U/mg prot, 2.1 U/mg prot, 10 pg/mg prot) compared with the Group Control. The RT-PCR results of the expression of SOD, GSH-Px, TPS, and SST genes were consistent with the above. This study demonstrates that STI causes oxidative structural damage and pancreatic dysfunction by inducing oxidative stress in the pancreas, which could increase with time.

Oxygen-Ozone (O2-O3) Therapy in Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD): A Review Study

The purpose of this study is to review the current knowledge of oxygen-ozone (O₂-O₃) therapy and its effects on peripheral artery disease (PAD) risk factors, symptoms, as well as on PAD patients’ quality of life. From the in vitro studies, it has been concluded that the oxygen-ozone therapy exerts a positive effect on the platelet aggregation, cell remodeling, cytoskeletal elements organization and mitochondria structure. In animal studies, it has been shown that the O₂-O₃ therapy is an effective method in hypertension, and it diminishes the hypoxia state of various tissues. Clinical studies have provided evidence on the oxygen-ozone therapy effectiveness in low perfusion syndromes and hyperglycemia, as well as conditions with oxidative stress and inflammation. The oxygen-ozone therapy promotes faster recovery and enhances healing processes. It appears to be an effective adjunctive therapy in preventing peripheral artery disease complications such as occurrence of cardiovascular event, amputation or other extreme surgical solutions. It has been concluded that the O₂-O₃ therapy improves the quality of life of PAD patients. The oxygen-ozone therapy appears to have no adverse events or side effects. Moreover, it is very cost-effective, as standard treatment costs can be reduced by 25%. Easy clinical protocols allow the implementation of oxygen-ozone therapy into the usual care of PAD patients. Finally, the O₂-O₃ therapy may be meaningful especially for older patients and patients who are not eligible for standard revascularization.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Preconditioning Can Reduce Postabdominoplasty Complications: A Retrospective Cohort Study

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Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can improve wound healing and has been found to have positive preconditioning effects in animal models. Among esthetic surgical procedures, abdominoplasty poses the highest rate of postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative HBOT as a preconditioning treatment for expected postsurgical complications.

Effects of major ozonated autoheamotherapy on functional recovery, ischemic brain tissue apoptosis and oxygen free radical damage in the rat model of cerebral ischemia

Stroke is the second leading cause of death and disability in the world, with a heavy burden on patients, their families, and society. At present, a major focus of cerebrovascular disease research is to find a safe and effective new method to promote early functional recovery in the acute phase of cerebral infarction. Major ozonated autohemotherapy (MOAH) can maintain ATP and energy metabolism in cerebral ischemia and hypoxia, and reduce cell apoptosis. In the current study, the model of middle cerebral artery occlusion in the Sprague Dawley rat was established and evaluated by the clinical functional score, Hoechst staining, immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis, and biochemical detection. Then, the effects of MOAH on neurological function, apoptosis, and oxygen free radical damage after acute ischemia in middle cerebral artery were evaluated. Moreover, the potential two mechanisms have been illustrated for MOAH effects. This study would lay a theoretical foundation for the application of MOAH and find an effective and early treatment method for the cerebral infarction.

Preconditioning in neuroprotection: From hypoxia to ischemia

Sublethal hypoxic or ischemic events can improve the tolerance of tissues, organs, and even organisms from subsequent lethal injury caused by hypoxia or ischemia. This phenomenon has been termed hypoxic or ischemic preconditioning (HPC or IPC) and is well established in the heart and the brain. This review aims to discuss HPC and IPC with respect to their historical development and advancements in our understanding of the neurochemical basis for their neuroprotective role. Through decades of collaborative research and studies of HPC and IPC in other organ systems, our understanding of HPC and IPC-induced neuroprotection has expanded to include: early- (phosphorylation targets, transporter regulation, interfering RNA) and late- (regulation of genes like EPO, VEGF, and iNOS) phase changes, regulators of programmed cell death, members of metabolic pathways, receptor modulators, and many other novel targets. The rapid acceleration in our understanding of HPC and IPC will help facilitate transition into the clinical setting.

Alternative Interventions to Prevent Oxidative Damage following Ischemia/Reperfusion

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) lesions are a phenomenon that occurs in multiple pathological states and results in a series of events that end in irreparable damage that severely affects the recovery and health of patients. The principal therapeutic approaches include preconditioning, postconditioning, and remote ischemic preconditioning, which when used separately do not have a great impact on patient mortality or prognosis. Oxidative stress is known to contribute to the damage caused by I/R; however, there are no pharmacological approaches to limit or prevent this. Here, we explain the relationship between I/R and the oxidative stress process and describe some pharmacological options that may target oxidative stress-states.

Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging following major ozonated autohemotherapy for treatment of acute cerebral infarction

Major ozonated autohemotherapy has been shown to promote recovery of upper limb motor function in patients with acute cerebral infarction, but whether major ozonated autohemotherapy affects remote injury remains poorly understood. Here, we assumed that major ozonated autohemotherapy contributes to recovery of clinical function, possibly by reducing remote injury after acute cerebral infarction. Sixty acute cerebral infarction patients aged 30-80 years were equally and randomly allocated to ozone treatment and control groups. Patients in the ozone treatment group received medical treatment and major ozonated autohemotherapy (47 mg/L, 100 mL ozone) for 10 ± 2 days. Patients in the control group received medical treatment only. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, modified Rankin scale score, and reduced degree of fractional anisotropy values of brain magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging were remarkably decreased, brain function improved, clinical efficiency significantly increased, and no obvious adverse reactions detected in the ozone treatment group compared with the control group. These findings suggest that major ozonated autohemotherapy promotes recovery of neurological function in acute cerebral infarction patients by reducing remote injury, and additionally, exhibits high safety.

Pathophysiologic Determination of Frostbite Under High Altitude Environment Simulation in Sprague-Dawley Rats

OBJECTIVES

Pathophysiologic changes of frostbite have been postulated but rarely understood, especially the changes caused by chilly high altitude environment. Therefore, we investigated the pathophysiologic changes of high altitude frostbite (HAF) caused by cold and hypoxia.

METHODS

Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 equal groups, namely, control, superficial HAF (S-HAF), partial-thickness HAF (PT-HAF), full-thickness HAF (FT-HAF), and partial-thickness normal frostbite (PT-NF) groups. The S-HAF, PT-HAF, and FT-HAF groups were fed under hypobaric hypoxic conditions simulating an altitude of 5000 m. Then, the PT-NF, S-HAF, PT-HAF, and FT-HAF models were constructed by controlling the duration of the direct freezing by liquid nitrogen. Animal vital signs were measured after the operation, and histopathologic changes were observed after routine hematoxylin and eosin staining. In addition, the microcirculation of frostbite tissues was monitored and compared by contrast ultrasonography during wound healing.

RESULTS

The S-HAF, PT-HAF, and FT-HAF groups showed significant differences in the microcirculatory and histopathologic changes in the various tissue layers (P < .05). In addition, combined cold and hypoxia caused more damage to frostbite tissue than pure cold. The circulation recovery of HAF models was significantly slower relative to NF models (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

A safe and reproducible HAF model was proposed. More important, pathophysiologic determination of HAF provided the foundation and potential for developing novel and effective frostbite therapies.

Protective effects of ellagic acid and ozone on rat ovaries with an ischemia/reperfusion injury

AIM

This study investigated the effects of the antioxidant agents, ozone (O) and ellagic acid (EA), on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injuries developed from an ovarian torsion-detorsion model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Arteries in the left ovaries of rats were clamped for two hours to achieve torsion, and then the clamps were removed for a two-hour detorsion period. Thirty-five female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: control: administered only with anesthesia, rats were not subjected to torsion-detorsion; I/R: subjected to torsion and subsequent detorsion, without administering any treatment agent; and I/R + EA, I/R + O and I/R + O + EA: subjected to torsion and detorsion processes and administered with EA, O or EA + O at the 75th minute of torsion. The rats were then sacrificed under general anesthesia and the ovarian tissues were excised. The tissues were homogenized and levels of glutathione reductase, catalase, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde (MDA) were analyzed. Tissue damage was evaluated in terms of histopathological parameters, such as hemorrhage, congestion, edema and inflammation.

RESULTS

Antioxidant enzyme activity and MDA levels in the ovary tissue increased in the I/R group and decreased in the O, EA and O + EA groups (P < 0.05). Histopathological examination revealed that tissue damage in the O, EA and O + EA groups decreased in comparison with the I/R group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These biochemical and histopathological findings suggest that EA and O are effective against ovarian I/R injury.

Evaluation and comparison of the effect of hypothermia and ozone on ischemia-reperfusion injury of skeletal muscle in rats

BACKGROUND

Tourniquet-induced ischemia-reperfusion, which affects local and distant organs, is very common in orthopedic surgery. Hypothermia is used in traumatic tissue during ischemic period commonly. Ozone (O3) has been recommended as a novel therapeutic agent in various medical conditions. The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare the effect of hypothermia (H) and O3 on ischemia-reperfusion injury of skeletal muscle in rats by measuring oxidative parameters and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighteen rats (Wistar albino) were separated into five groups randomly (sham, IR, IR + H, IR + O3, IR + H + O3; n = 6). The lower right extremity of all rats was subjected to 2 h of ischemia and 22 h of reperfusion clamping the common iliac artery and using the rubber-band technique at the level of the lesser trochanter under general anesthesia. Two hours of hypothermia were applied during the first 2 h of reperfusion in two groups. O3 was applied in two groups. All rats were sacrificed after the IR period with high dose of anesthesia. The tibialis anterior muscle and blood were saved. Levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, MDA, NOx, and interleukin-1β were measured in the muscle. Creatinine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, urea, creatinine, and electrolytes were measured in serum. Immunohistochemical iNOS staining was performed on muscle samples.

RESULTS

The levels of MDA, NOx, and interleukin-1β in muscle were raised in the IR group compared with those in the sham group. The same parameters were lower in the groups of IR + H, IR + O3, and IR + H + O3 compared with those in the IR group. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in muscle were lower in the IR group compared with those in the sham group; however, same parameters were higher in the groups of IR + H, IR + O3, and IR + H + O3 compared with those in the IR group. Score and intensity of iNOS staining in skeletal muscle in the IR group was increased compared with that in the sham group and decreased in the groups of IR + H, IR + O3, and IR + H + O3 compared with that in the IR group. Levels of creatinine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, and K in the three treatment groups decreased compared with those in the IR group.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings showed that hypothermia, which has more affect, and O3 decreased the tourniquet-induced IR injury in the rat's muscle-skeletal system by reducing the levels of oxidative and nitrosative stress parameters and enhancing antioxidant enzymes. Hypothermia and O3 had no synergistic effect. Hypothermic reperfusion and O3 preconditioning might be beneficial in skeletal muscle IR injury-associated tourniquet.

Effects of hypothermia on skeletal ischemia reperfusion injury in rats

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hypothermia (H) on skeletal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in rats by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), nitric oxide (NO), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in muscle, and measureing immunohistochemical-inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) staining of skeletal muscle.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighteen Wistar Albino rats were divided randomly into three groups (sham, IR, hypothermia) (n=6). The sham group had all procedures without the IR period. The lower right extremity of rats in the IR and hypothermia groups was subjected to 2 hours of ischemia and 22 hours of reperfusion by applying a clamp on the common iliac artery and a rubber-band at the level of the lesser trochanter under general anesthesia. Rats in the hypothermia group underwent 4 hours of hypothermia during the first four hours of reperfusion in addition to a 2-hour ischemia and 22-hour reperfusion period. All rats were sacrificed at end of the IR period using a high dose of anesthesia. The tibialis anterior muscles were preserved. Immunohistochemical iNOS staining was performed, and MDA, SOD, GSH-Px, NO, and IL-1β were measured in the muscle.

RESULTS

The level of MDA, NO, and IL-1β in muscle was increased in the IR group compared with that in the sham group, but these parameters were decreased in the hypothermia group compared with the IR group. The activities of SOD and GSH-Px in muscle were decreased in the IR group; however, these parameters were increased in the hypothermia group. The score and intensity of iNOS staining of skeletal muscle was dens in IR group, mild in hypothermia group, and weak in sham group.

CONCLUSION

The present study has shown that hypothermia reduced IR injury in the skeletal muscle by decreasing the levels of MDA, NO, and IL-1β, and increasing the activities of SOD and GSH-Px. In addition, hypothermia attenuated the score and intensity of iNOS staining.

Major ozonated autohemotherapy promotes the recovery of upper limb motor function in patients with acute cerebral infarction

Major ozonated autohemotherapy is classically used in treating ischemic disorder of the lower limbs. In the present study, we performed major ozonated autohemotherapy treatment in patients with acute cerebral infarction, and assessed outcomes according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health Stroke Score, Modified Rankin Scale, and transcranial magnetic stimulation motor-evoked potential. Compared with the control group, the clinical total effective rate and the cortical potential rise rate of the upper limbs were significantly higher, the central motor conduction time of upper limb was significantly shorter, and the upper limb motor-evoked potential amplitude was significantly increased, in the ozone group. In the ozone group, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Score was positively correlated with the central motor conduction time and the motor-evoked potential amplitude of the upper limb. Central motor conduction time and motor-evoked potential amplitude of the upper limb may be effective indicators of motor-evoked potentials to assess upper limb motor function in cerebral infarct patients. Furthermore, major ozonated autohemotherapy may promote motor function recovery of the upper limb in patients with acute cerebral infarction.

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment and N-acetylcysteine ameliorate acetaminophen-induced liver injury in a rat model

An overdose of acetaminophen (APAP) produces centrilobular hepatocellular necrosis. We aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) only and hyperbaric oxygen (O(2)) treatment (HBOT) combined with NAC, and their anti-inflammatory properties in liver tissue. In the current study, a total of 32 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups: sham, APAP, NAC, and NAC + HBOT. In the APAP, NAC, and NAC + HBOT groups, liver injury was induced by oral administration of 1 g/kg APAP. The NAC group received 100 mg/kg NAC per day. NAC + HBOT group received intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg/kg/day NAC and were given HBOT at 2.8 ATA pressure with 100% O(2) inhalation for 90 min every 12 h for 5 days. Rats in the sham group received distilled water only by gastric tube. All animals were killed on day 6 after APAP or distilled water administration. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, hepatic neopterin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels were measured. There was a significant increase in serum AST and ALT activities in the APAP group compared with the sham group (in both p = 0.001). NAC and NAC + HBOT groups had significant decreases in hepatic neopterin, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels compared with the APAP group. APAP administration caused extensive hepatic necrosis. NAC and NAC + HBO treatments significantly reduced APAP-induced liver injury. Our results showed that the liver damage in APAP toxicity was attenuated by NAC and NAC + HBO treatments. NAC + HBOT exhibit hepatoprotective activity against APAP-induced liver injury in rats.

Application of medical gases in the field of neurobiology

Medical gases are pharmaceutical molecules which offer solutions to a wide array of medical needs. This can range from use in burn and stroke victims to hypoxia therapy in children. More specifically however, gases such as oxygen, helium, xenon, and hydrogen have recently come under increased exploration for their potential theraputic use with various brain disease states including hypoxia-ischemia, cerebral hemorrhages, and traumatic brain injuries. As a result, this article will review the various advances in medical gas research and discuss the potential therapeutic applications and mechanisms with regards to the field of neurobiology.