Evaluation of the effects of overdose Acetaminophen toxicity in rats: Ozone, which can be preferred as a complementary therapy

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effects of Ozone therapy used in traditional and complementary medicine on possible toxicity caused by Acetaminophen (APAP). There was no intervention in first group (control). The second group received 150 µg·kg-1 day, i.p. for three weeks of ozone, 2 g·kg-1 orally single dose APAP to third group, and APAP+Ozone to fourth group. APAP was administered on 21st day of ozone application. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, and antioxidant enzyme activities were all measured to assess their contribution to pathogenesis of toxicity in blood tissues. Compared to the control group, the group receiving APAP showed increased MDA levels (P=0.009) and decreased GSH levels (P<0.001), as well as reduced CAT (P<0.001), GSH–Px (P<0.001) and SOD (P<0.001) enzyme activities. However, in the group treated with ozone and APAP, levels of MDA and GSH, as well as the activities of the antioxidant enzymes, were similar to those of the control group, indicating a protective effect of ozone against APAP–induced oxidative stress. In conclusion, the results of the study showed that APAP caused oxidative stress in blood tissue. The present study showed that ozone had potential protective effects against toxicity induced with APAP through various mechanisms in different cellular processes. This may be related to cytoprotective and antioxidant properties of ozone. Ozone can provide a chemical basis for some health benefits against toxicities. Ozone may be protective against APAP–induced oxidative damage. As a result, it was concluded that ozone may be a natural and effective antioxidant that can be used to reduce the toxicity caused by APAP.