Ozone oxidative postconditioning ameliorates joint damage and decreases pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and oxidative stress in PG/PS-induced arthritis in rats

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is the most prevalent chronic condition present in similar to 1% of the adult population. Many pro-inflammatory mediators are increased in RA, including Reactive Oxygen Species such as nitric oxide NO, pro-inflammatory cytokines as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1 beta) and other molecules. Ozone oxidative postconditioning has regulatory effects on some pathological targets associated with RA. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of ozone therapy in PG/PS-induced arthritis in rats in point of joints inflammation and morphology. Moreover, cytokines, nitric oxide and oxidative stress levels in spleen homogenates were evaluated. Ozone treatment ameliorated joint damage, reduced TNF-alpha concentrations as well as TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta mRNA levels. Besides, cellular redox balance, nitric oxide and fructolysine levels were reestablished after ozone oxidative postconditioning. It was concluded that pleiotropic ozone's effects clarify its therapeutic efficacy in RA Decreasing inflammation and joint injury, reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta transcripts and re-establishment of cellular redox balance after ozone treatment were demonstrated. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.