Selective ozone concentrations may reduce the ischemic damage after a stroke

Abstract

Stroke is one of the most debilitating diseases, and it is unfortunate that only a small percentage of patients can be treated with thrombolytic agents. Consequently, there is an urgent need of finding an alternative procedure for reoxygenating the so-called penumbra at the earliest time as possible for reducing morbidity and disability. A preliminary, preclinical study has been carried out by using rat hippocampal and cortical brain slices subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation. Oxygen-ozone gaseous mixture appeared to be effective in reverting damage of brain tissues, supporting the evaluation of this approach in well-designed clinical trials in stroke patients.

Keywords::

• ozone
• brain ischemia
• stroke
• 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal

This paper was first published online on Early Online on 13 February 2012.