The Role of Nrf2 in the Antioxidant Cellular Response to Medical Ozone Exposure

• Main Authors: Mirco Galiè, Viviana Covi, Gabriele Tabaracci, Manuela Malatesta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-08-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: ozone therapy; oxidative stress; proteostasis; mitochondria; inflammation; adipose biology; cancer
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/20/16/4009

Ozone (O₃) is a natural, highly unstable atmospheric gas that rapidly decomposes to oxygen. Although not being a radical molecule, O₃ is a very strong oxidant and therefore it is potentially toxic for living organisms. However, scientific evidence proved that the effects of O₃ exposure are dose-dependent: high dosages stimulate severe oxidative stress resulting in inflammatory response and tissue injury, whereas low O₃ concentrations induce a moderate oxidative eustress activating antioxidant pathways. These properties make O₃ a powerful medical tool, which can be used as either a disinfectant or an adjuvant agent in the therapy of numerous diseases. In this paper, the cellular mechanisms involved in the antioxidant response to O₃ exposure will be reviewed with special reference to the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its role in the efficacy of ozone therapy.