Effectiveness of electrolyzed oxidized water irrigation in a burn-wound infection model

Antibacterial effect of acidic ionized water on horse wounds bacterial isolates

Background and Aim

Horse wounds can be easily infected with bacteria depending on the nature of its cause such as laceration, abrasion, or puncture as well as the nature of its environment. Various treatments are available in managing open wounds, including the usage of topical antibiotics and antiseptics. However, antibiotic resistance has been a major concern attributed with chronic wound infection. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of ionized water at different pH against the growth of common bacteria from horse wounds.

Materials and Methods

Ten swab samples from equine infected wounds were collected and bacteria isolation and identification were performed. The antibacterial effect of the ionized water of pH 2.5, 4.5, 7.0, and 11.5 was tested on Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Staphylococcus intermedius, Escherichia coli, Pantoea agglomerans, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The time-kill profiles of the ionized waters were determined at time 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h.

Results

Ionized water of pH 2.5 and 4.5 showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus, S. pseudintermedius, and S. intermedius with significant (p>0.05) reduction in colony-forming unit/mL within 2-8 h. The degree of bactericidal effect of the acidic ionized water differs between the species with S. intermedius more susceptible. However, there was no antibacterial effect at pH 2.5, 4.5, 7.0, and 11.5 on the Gram-negative bacteria tested.

Conclusion

Ionized water of pH 2.5 and 4.5 is effective in minimizing the growth of Gram-positive bacteria; thus it could be of clinical importance as an antiseptic for surface wound lavage in horses.

Effects of Strong Acidic Electrolyzed Water in Wound Healing via Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Response

Strong acidic electrolyzed water (StAEW) is known to inactivate microorganisms but is not fully explored in the medical field. This study is aimed at exploring StAEW as a potential wound care agent and its mechanism. StAEW (pH: 2.65, ORP: 1159 mV, ACC: 32.1 ppm) was sprayed three times a day to the cutaneous wounds of hairless mice for seven days. Wound morphological and histological features and immune-redox markers were compared with saline- (Sal-) and alcohol- (Alc-) treated groups. Results showed that the StAEW group showed a significantly higher wound healing percentage than the Sal group on days 2, 4, 5, and 6 and the Alc group on day 4. The StAEW group also showed earlier mediation on proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin- (IL-) 6, IL-1β, and keratinocyte chemoattractant. In addition, basic fibroblast growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor were found to be significantly changed in favor of the fibroblast synthesis and angiogenesis. In line, the StAEW group showed a controlled amount of ROS and significantly decreased compared to the Alc group. The StAEW group also favored oxidative stress balance through antioxidant responses. Additionally, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 9 and MMP1 were also modulated for keratinocyte and cell migration. Taken together, this study has proven the wound healing effect of StAEW and its earlier mediation through oxidative and inflammatory responses.

Antimicrobial and Anti-Biofilm Effect of an Electrolyzed Superoxidized Solution at Neutral-pH against Helicobacter pylori

The presence of Helicobacter pylori in the oral cavity has been associated to the failure of antimicrobial therapy in patients with gastrointestinal infection and the development of oral diseases. However, it has been reported that the maintenance of good oral hygiene can improve the therapeutic success rates, where the use of mouthwashes with anti-Helicobacter activity would help to achieve it. The aim was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of OxOral® mouthwash against H. pylori and its effect on biofilm formation. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of OxOral® (pH = 6.4–7.5, ORP = 650–900 mV) against H. pylori was calculated testing serial dilutions 0.117–15 ppm against 1 × 10⁸ CFU/mL of H. pylori (ATCC® 700824™) by broth microdilution method using 96‐well plates. The H. pylori biofilm formation was determined by the optical density measurement at 600 nm from coverslips stained with 0.1% crystal violet. The gene expression of ureA, luxS, flaA, omp18, and lpxD were analyzed by RT‐qPCR. OxOral® cytotoxicity was evaluated in a human gingival fibroblast cell line by MTT assay. MIC was of 3.75 ppm, with 99.7 ± 7.7% bacterial growth inhibition. In the negative control, the biofilm formation was observed, whereas when bacteria were treated with OxOral® at 0.234, 0.469, and 0.938 ppm, an inhibition of 35.5 ± 0.9%, 89.1 ± 1.2%, and 99.9 ± 5.5% were obtained, respectively. The gene expression analysis showed that flaA, omp18, and lpxD genes were down‐regulated with OxOral® compared with control (p < 0.05). Low cytotoxicity of 16.5 ± 7.6% was observed at the highest dose (15 ppm); no significant differences were observed from 15 to 0.469 ppm compared to the control of untreated cells (p > 0.05). Our results reveal an important anti-Helicobacter activity of OxOral® and open the possibility of its therapeutic use new studies, which would increase the success rate of conventional therapies against H. pylori.

Wound Healing Effect of Slightly Acidic Electrolyzed Water on Cutaneous Wounds in Hairless Mice via Immune-Redox Modulation

Acidic electrolyzed water is an innovative sanitizer having a wide-spectrum of applications in food industry, and healthcare industry but little is known on its effect and mechanism in wound healing. The study was conducted to identify the effect and mechanism of slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) on cutaneous wounds in hairless mice. SAEW (pH: 5-6.5, oxidation reduction potential: 800 mV, chlorine concentration: 25 ppm) was prepared through electrolysis of water and was applied to the wounds of hairless mice three times a day for seven days. Wound size, immune response and oxidative stress were explored and compared to conventional agents such as Betadine and alcohol. We found that SAEW-treated group showed the highest wound reduction percentage (p<0.01). Antioxidant activities such as glutathione peroxidase, catalase and myeloperoxidase activities of SAEW group surpassed the total reactive oxygen species in skin. Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related-factor-2 and aryl hydrocarbon receptor were upregulated in SAEW group. Further, SAEW recruited the production of intracellular calcium and promoted its utilization for faster healing. In line, SAEW treatment decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, keratinocyte chemoattractant, and tumor necrosis factor-α] in serum. Other hallmarks of wound healing, matrixmetalloproteinases (MMP)1 and MMP9 were also upregulated. Collectively, our study indicates that SAEW is effective in wound healing of hairless mice via immune-redox modulation, and heals better/faster than conventional agents.

Intraperitoneal Infusion of Neutral-pH Superoxidized Solution in Rats: Evaluation of Toxicity and Complications on Peritoneal Surface and Liver

BACKGROUND Superoxidized water (SOW) is known to be a potent disinfectant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and complications on the peritoneal surface and liver after infusion of pH-neutral SOW into the peritoneal cavity of rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty Wistar-Albino rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided into 3 groups (10 rats/group). Group1 (control group) rats received single dose of 10 mg/kg saline solution intraperitoneally. Group 2 (single-dose group) rats received a single dose of 10 mg/kg pH-neutral SOW intraperitoneally. Group 3 (multiple-doses group) rats received multiple doses of 10 mg/kg pH-neutral SOW intraperitoneally on days 1, 3, and 5. All animals were killed at 1 week after infusion. Blood specimens were taken to the laboratory and macroscopic and microscopic examinations were performed on each rat. RESULTS All 30 rats survived after the infusion. The gross-macroscopic examinations revealed no pathologic findings in any of the 3 groups. The microscopic examination of peritoneum and liver showed no signs of toxicity or complications in any of the 3 groups. There were no statistically significant differences among the 3 groups with regards to the blood biochemistry, including hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, urea, or creatinine levels (p>0.05). However, the leucocyte counts were lower in group 3 than in groups 1 and 2, but this was not statistically significant (p=0.189). CONCLUSIONS Intraperitoneal infusion of pH-neutral SOW does not result in any significant toxicity or complications on the liver and peritoneal surface. However, multiple infusions lead to low leucocyte counts and future studies with longer follow-up times are needed.

Infected animal models for tissue engineering

Infection is one of the most common complications associated with medical interventions and implants. As tissue engineering strategies to replace missing or damaged tissue advance, the focus on prevention and treatment of concomitant infection has also begun to emerge as an important area of research. Because the in vivo environment is a complex interaction between host tissue, implanted materials, and native immune system that cannot be replicated in vitro, animal models of infection are integral in evaluating the safety and efficacy of experimental treatments for infection. In this review, considerations for selecting an animal model, established models of infection, and areas that require further model development are discussed with regard to cutaneous, fascial, and orthopedic infections.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of Medilox® super-oxidized water

Aim

Super-oxidized water is one of the broad spectrum disinfectants, which was introduced recently. There are many researches to find reliable chemicals which are effective, inexpensive, easy to obtain and use, and effective for disinfection of microorganisms leading hospital infections. Antimicrobial activity of super-oxidized water is promising. The aim of this study was to investigate the in-vitro antimicrobial activity of different concentrations of Medilox® super-oxidized water that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as high level disinfectant.

Material and methods

In this study, super-oxidized water obtained from Medilox® [Soosan E & C, Korea] device, which had been already installed in our hospital, was used. Antimicrobial activities of different concentrations of super-oxidized water (1/1, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/20, 1/50, 1/100) at different exposure times (1, 2, 5, 10, 30 min) against six ATCC strains, eight antibiotic resistant bacteria, yeasts and molds were evaluated using qualitative suspension test. Dey-Engley Neutralizing Broth [Sigma-Aldrich, USA] was used as neutralizing agent.

Results

Medilox® was found to be effective against all standard strains (Acinetobacter baumannii 19606, Escherichia coli 25922, Enterococcus faecalis 29212, Klebsiella pneumoniae 254988, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 27853, Staphylococcus aureus 29213), all clinical isolates (Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Myroides spp.), and all yeastsat 1/1 dilution in ≥ 1 minute. It was found to be effective on Aspergillus flavus at 1/1 dilution in ≥ 2 minutes and on certain molds in ≥ 5 minutes.

Conclusion

Medilox® super-oxidized water is a broad spectrum, on-site producible disinfectant, which is effective on bacteria and fungi and can be used for the control of nosocomial infection.

Wound healing activity of Sida cordifolia Linn. in rats

INTRODUCTION

The present study provides a scientific evaluation for the wound healing potential of ethanolic (EtOH) extract of Sida cordifolia Linn. (SCL) plant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Excision, incision and burn wounds were inflicted upon three groups of six rats each. Group I was assigned as control (ointment base). Group II was treated with 10% EtOH extract ointment. Group III was treated with standard silver sulfadiazine (0.01%) cream. The parameters observed were percentage of wound contraction, epithelialization period, hydroxyproline content, tensile strength including histopathological studies.

RESULT

It was noted that the effect produced by the ethanolic extract of SCL ointment showed significant (P < 0.01) healing in all wound models when compared with the control group. All parameters such as wound contraction, epithelialization period, hydroxyproline content, tensile strength and histopathological studies showed significant (P < 0.01) changes when compared with the control.

CONCLUSION

The ethanolic extract ointment of SCL effectively stimulates wound contraction; increases tensile strength of excision, incision and burn wounds.

An open-label, three-arm pilot study of the safety and efficacy of topical Microcyn Rx wound care versus oral levofloxacin versus combined therapy for mild diabetic foot infections

BACKGROUND

This randomized, prospective, multicenter, open-label study was designed to test whether a topical, electrolyzed, superoxidized solution (Microcyn Rx) is a safe and effective treatment for mildly infected diabetic foot ulcers.

METHODS

Sixty-seven patients with ulcers were randomized into three groups. Patients with wounds irrigated with Microcyn Rx alone were compared with patients treated with oral levofloxacin plus normal saline wound irrigation and with patients treated with oral levofloxacin plus Microcyn Rx wound irrigation. Patients were evaluated on day 3, at the end of treatment on day 10 (visit 3), and 14 days after completion of therapy for test of cure (visit 4).

RESULTS

In the intention-to-treat sample at visit 3, the clinical success rate was higher in the Microcyn Rx alone group (75.0%) than in the saline plus levofloxacin group (57.1%) or in the Microcyn Rx plus levofloxacin group (64.0%). Results at visit 4 were similar. In the clinically evaluable population, the clinical success rate at visit 3 (end of treatment) for patients treated with Microcyn Rx alone was 77.8% versus 61.1% for the levofloxacin group. The clinical success rate at visit 4 (test of cure) for patients treated with Microcyn Rx alone was 93.3% versus 56.3% for levofloxacin plus saline-treated patients. This study was not statistically powered, but the high clinical success rate (93.3%) and the P value (P = .033) suggest that the difference is meaningfully positive for Microcyn Rx-treated patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Microcyn Rx is safe and at least as effective as oral levofloxacin for mild diabetic foot infections.

Animal models of external traumatic wound infections

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in traumatic wound care and management, infections remain a leading cause of mortality,morbidity and economic disruption in millions of wound patients around the world. Animal models have become standard tools for studying a wide array of external traumatic wound infections and testing new antimicrobial strategies.

RESULTS

Animal models of external traumatic wound infections reported by different investigators vary in animal species used, microorganism strains, the number of microorganisms applied, the size of the wounds and for burn infections, the length of time the heated object or liquid is in contact with the skin.

METHODS

This review covers experimental infections in animal models of surgical wounds, skin abrasions, burns, lacerations,excisional wounds and open fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

As antibiotic resistance continues to increase,more new antimicrobial approaches are urgently needed.These should be tested using standard protocols for infections in external traumatic wounds in animal models.

Effectiveness of a Systemic Antibiotic Followed by Topical Ionized Solution as Surgical Site Infection Prophylaxis

The aim of this randomized, double-blind clinical trial was to determine the effectiveness of systemic antibiotic application followed by either topical ionized solution (IS) or topical saline solution (placebo) as surgical site infection (SSI) prophylaxis in appendectomy for non-perforated appendicitis. Prophylactic antibiotic was administered pre-incision and either topical IS or placebo was applied pre-suturing to 529 patients, who were then monitored for 30 days. When topical IS was used, SSI relative risk was 0.739 (95% CI 0.537, 1.019) and the SSI prevention rate was 26.06% (CI −1.8%, 46.3%). The number needed to treat was 14.80 patients and the number needed to harm was 209 in order for SSI to be avoided. In conclusion, there was a trend for topical IS prophylaxis to reduce SSI frequency in patients undergoing appendectomy for non-perforated appendicitis, but the result was not statistically significant.

Effect of electrolyzed strong acid water on peritoneal irrigation of experimental perforated peritonitis

PURPOSE

Electrolyzed strong acid water (ESAW) is generated by the electrolysis of a weak sodium chloride solution. Although ESAW is known to have a strong bactericidal activity and to be harmless to the living body, its effectiveness and safety in the treatment of perforated peritonitis has not been well established.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were used for the study. Three hours after cecal ligation and puncture, the cecum was resected and the peritoneal cavity was irrigated with 50 ml of saline (Group S, n=12) or ESAW (Group E, n=14). The 5-day survival rate was compared between the two groups. In another pair of animals (n=10 each), bacteria in the ascitic fluid were counted at 6 and 18 h after irrigation.

RESULTS

No adverse effects of ESAW were observed in the experimental group. The 5-day survival rate was 25% (3/12) and 85.7% (12/14) in Groups S and E, respectively (P < 0.01). The bacterial count at 18 h after the irrigation in Groups S and E was (5.0 +/- 2.5) x 10(5)/ml and (2.2 +/- 2.0) x 10(4)/ml, respectively (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Peritoneal lavage with ESAW had no adverse effect, and achieved more effective decontamination than saline for perforated peritonitis. Therefore, the results of this study are considered to warrant and support the clinical application of ESAW.

Inhibitory effect of electrolyzed reduced water on tumor angiogenesis

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key mediator of tumor angiogenesis. Tumor cells are exposed to higher oxidative stress compared to normal cells. Numerous reports have demonstrated that the intracellular redox (oxidation/reduction) state is closely associated with the pattern of VEGF expression. Electrolyzed reduced water (ERW) produced near the cathode during the electrolysis of water scavenged intracellular H(2)O(2) and decreased the release of H(2)O(2) from a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line, A549, and down-regulated both VEGF transcription and protein secretion in a time-dependent manner. To investigate the signal transduction pathway involved in regulating VEGF expression, mitogen-activated kinase (MAPK) specific inhibitors, SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor), PD98059 (ERK1/2 inhibitor) and JNKi (c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase inhibitor) were applied. The results showed that only PD98059 blocks VEGF expression, suggesting an important role for ERK1/2 in regulating VEGF expression in A549 cells. As well, ERW inhibited the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in a time-dependent manner. Co-culture experiments to analyze in vitro tubule formation assay revealed that A549 cell-derived conditioned medium significantly stimulated the formation of vascular tubules in all analyzed parameters; tubule total area, tubule junction, number of tubules, and total tubule length. ERW counteracted the effect of A549 cell-conditioned medium and decreased total tube length (p<0.01). The present study demonstrated that ERW down-regulated VEGF gene transcription and protein secretion through inactivation of ERK.

Efficacy and safety of neutral pH superoxidised solution in severe diabetic foot infections

The use of antiseptics in wound care is often controversial and there is definitely a need for a non toxic, highly disinfective agent. This study assessed the efficacy of a neutral pH superoxidised aqueous solution (NpHSS) for infection control, odour reduction and surrounding skin and tissue damage on infected diabetic foot ulcerations. From November 2003 to March 2004, 45 patients with type 2 diabetes were randomised into a single-blind clinical trial comparing NpHSS (intervention group; n = 21) versus conventional disinfectant (control group; n = 16). All patients received comprehensive care including surgical debridement as appropriate, moist wound care, intensive glucose control and broad spectrum antibiotics. Treatment groups were matched in terms of sex, age (61.9 +/- 11.9 versus 67.8 +/- 11.6), years of diabetes duration (16.4 +/- 8.1 versus 17 +/- 10.2), obesity, HgAlc (7.1 +/- 2 versus 6.7 +/- 1.8), initial fasting glycaemia (163 +/- 59 versus 152 +/- 65.8 mg/dl), ulcer duration/week (13.7 +/- 24 versus 15.1 +/- 16.3), B/A Index (0.9 +/- 0.5 versus 1.14 +/- 0.7), depth and extent of infection/periwound cellulitis (groups B and C of the Tampico Hospital Classification) as well as aetiology (P = 0.647). Odour reduction was achieved in all NpHSS patients (100% versus 25%; P < 0.01) and surrounding cellulitis diminished (P < 0.001) in 17 patients (80.9% versus 43.7%). Nineteen patients in the NpHSS group showed advancement to granulating tissue stage (90.4% versus 62.5%; P = 0.05) with significantly less tissue toxicity (94% versus 31.2%; P < 0.01). A non toxic, NpHSS, as part of a comprehensive care regimen, may be more efficacious in infection control, odour and erythema reduction than conventional disinfectants in treatment of diabetic foot infections.

Super-oxidized solution inhibits IgE-antigen-induced degranulation and cytokine release in mast cells

Activation of the high affinity IgE receptor (Fc epsilonRI) through IgE-antigen complexes induces mast cell degranulation, synthesis of lipid mediators and cytokine production. These effects are involved in Type I hypersensitivity reactions and controlling them has been the main objective of many anti-allergic therapies. Here we report that pretreatment of murine bone marrow derived mast cells (BMMC) with super-oxidized solution (SOS) inhibits Fc epsilonRI dependent-beta hexosaminidase and cytokine release. This effect is exerted without altering total protein tyrosine phosphorylation, MAPK activation, cytokine mRNA accumulation or calcium mobilization after Fc epsilonRI triggering. Our data suggest that this neutral pH-SOS acts like a mast cell-membrane stabilizer inhibiting the cell machinery for granule secretion without altering the signal transduction pathways induced by IgE-antigen receptor crosslinking.

Development of an experimental model of infected skin ulcer

A model of infected skin ulceration could prove useful in assessing the clinical effectiveness of antimicrobial ointments and dressings. However, no such models have been previously established. Three types of wound were induced in rats: full-thickness wounds covered with gauze, burn wounds and wounds resulting from mechanical trauma. Wounds were inoculated with S. aureus or P. aeruginosa. Persistent infected wounds were observed only in full-thickness wounds covered with gauze. In a second experiment, colonies of P. aeruginosa or S. aureus were counted within 15 x 15 mm full-thickness wounds covered with gauze. Wounds were inoculated with 1.0 x 10(6) colony-forming units (CFU) of P. aeruginosa or S. aureus and then sealed to ensure an enclosed environment. Tissue bacterial counts exceeded 10(6) CFU/g from the next day until day 9 after infection. Bacterial counts exceeded 10(8) CFU/ml in wound exudate collected between days 1 and 7. We have developed a model of wound infection in which persistence of infection can be achieved for 9 days following ulceration due to the application of gauze to the base of a full-thickness wound.

Increased susceptibility to Staphylococcus aureus colonization of the skin of the NOA mouse: a potentially useful animal model for evaluating antiseptic effects

Isolation of bacteria from wet skin lesions was attempted using Naruto Research Institute Otsuka Atrichia (NOA) mice, which develop such lesions spontaneously at a high rate. As a result, Staphylococcus aureus was demonstrated to have colonized the wet skin lesions at high density. In addition, the isolated S. aureus was found to be similar to the strain of S. aureus thought to colonize the eczematous lesions seen in humans with atopic dermatitis. Furthermore, a survey of the S. aureus colonization status of NOA mice with no wet skin lesions confirmed colonization at higher density than in HR-1 mice as control, indicating that the skin of the NOA mouse has the novel characteristic of increased susceptibility to S. aureus colonization. Thus, by using changes in S. aureus counts as an index, the NOA mouse can be expected to serve as a useful animal model for evaluating the effects of topical antiseptics. The antiseptic effects of an ointment and a lotion containing chlorhexidine gluconate were confirmed using this animal model.

Effects of water source, dilution, storage, and bacterial and fecal loads on the efficacy of electrolyzed oxidizing water for the control of Escherichia coli O157:H7

To evaluate the potential of using electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water for controlling Escherichia coli O157:H7 in water for livestock, the effects of water source, electrolyte concentration, dilution, storage conditions, and bacterial or fecal load on the oxidative reduction potential (ORP) and bactericidal activity of EO water were investigated. Anode and combined (7:3 anode:cathode, vol/vol) EO waters reduced the pH and increased the ORP of deionized water, whereas cathode EO water increased pH and lowered ORP. Minimum concentrations (vol/vol) of anode and combined EO waters required to kill 10(4) CFU/ml planktonic suspensions of E. coli O157:H7 strain H4420 were 0.5 and 2.0%, respectively. Cathode EO water did not inhibit H4420 at concentrations up to 16% (vol/vol). Higher concentrations of anode or combined EO water were required to elevate the ORP of irrigation or chlorinated tap water compared with that of deionized water. Addition of feces to EO water products (0.5% anode or 2.0% combined, vol/vol) significantly reduced (P < 0.001) their ORP values to < 700 mV in all water types. A relationship between ORP and bactericidal activity of EO water was observed. The dilute EO waters retained the capacity to eliminate a 10(4) CFU/ml inoculation of E. coli O157:H7 H4420 for at least 70 h regardless of exposure to UV light or storage temperature (4 versus 24 degrees C). At 95 h and beyond, UV exposure reduced ORP, significantly more so (P < 0.05) in open than in closed containers. Bactericidal activity of EO products (anode or combined) was lost in samples in which ORP value had fallen to < or = 848 mV. When stored in the dark, the diluted EO waters retained an ORP of > 848 mV and bactericidal efficacy for at least 125 h; with refrigeration (4 degrees C), these conditions were retained for at least 180 h. Results suggest that EO water may be an effective means by which to control E. coli O157:H7 in livestock water with low organic matter content.

Expression of heme oxygenase-1 in the lung and liver tissues in a rat model of burns

To investigate the functional significance of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 as having anti-oxidant activity in burns, a rat model of 30% burns was prepared, and the lungs and livers were extirpated for immunohistological examination (indirect immunoenzyme techniques). Plasma TNF-alpha levels were significantly higher in the burn group than in the control group, but there was no significant difference in total bilirubin levels between the groups. HO-1 expression was found histologically in the perivascular cells of the lung and liver. It was also found, though only at low levels, in liver parenchymal cells. These results suggest that HO-1 is expressed in the lung and liver tissues in a rat model of burns.