Evaluation of the Efficacy of Ozone Therapy on Liver Tissue in the Treatment of Sepsis in Rats with Cecal Perforation

Sepsis and its related complications are associated with high morbidity and mortality, often leading to liver damage. Ozone, a molecule with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, may offer protective effects. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic and protective impact of ozone on liver injury in a rat model of sepsis induced by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP). A total of 36 rats were randomly divided into five groups: control (Group C), ozone (Group O), cecal ligation and perforation (Group CLP), ozone + cecal ligation and perforation (Group O+CLP), and cecal ligation and perforation + ozone (Group CLP+O). In the ozone groups, 4 mL of ozone (20 µ/mL) was injected intraperitoneally. Biochemical and histopathological parameters were evaluated in liver tissue samples obtained at the end of 24 h. Polymorphonuclear leukocyte and monocyte infiltration and the total injury score were significantly reduced in the ozone-treated groups compared to the CLP group ( < 0.001). Tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 10 levels in the rat liver tissue were significantly reduced in the O+CLP and CLP+O groups compared to the CLP group, with the O+CLP group showing a more substantial decrease than the CLP+O group ( < 0.001). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and glutathione s-transferase levels were significantly lower in the ozone-treated groups compared to the CLP group ( < 0.001). Catalase activity was significantly elevated in the O+CLP group compared to the CLP group ( < 0.001). Serum aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and total bilirubin were significantly increased in the CLP group and decreased in the ozone-treated groups ( < 0.001, < 0.001, = 0.01, < 0.001 respectively). Administering ozone to rats one hour before the CLP significantly mitigated liver damage, showing a more pronounced effect compared to administering ozone one hour after CLP. The results indicate that ozone could serve a protective function in managing sepsis-induced liver damage.