The Role of Nrf2 in the Antioxidant Cellular Response to Medical Ozone Exposure
1
Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, I-37134 Verona, Italy
2
San Rocco Clinic, Via Monsignor G. V. Moreni 95, I-25018 Montichiari (BS), Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(16), 4009; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20164009
Received: 27 July 2019 / Revised: 15 August 2019 / Accepted: 15 August 2019 / Published: 17 August 2019
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Nrf2 Pathway: Regulation, Functions, and Potential Applications)
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.
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Keywords:
ozone therapy; oxidative stress; proteostasis; mitochondria; inflammation; adipose biology; cancer
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MDPI and ACS Style
Galiè, M.; Covi, V.; Tabaracci, G.; Malatesta, M. The Role of Nrf2 in the Antioxidant Cellular Response to Medical Ozone Exposure. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20, 4009.
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