Effects of Ozone Therapy and Ozonated Olive Oil on Bacterial Translocation in an Experimental Burn Model
Objective: Ozone therapy may reduce the complications associated with bacterial translocation. This study evaluated the effects of ozone therapy on bacterial translocation and intestinal mucosal damage in a rat model of scald burns.
Materials and Methods: Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. After inducing thirddegree burns, Group A (control) received no treatment, Group B received rectal ozone, Group C was treated with ozonated olive oil topically, and Group D received pure olive oil. Blood, liver, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), and intestinal samples were cultured, and histopathological examinations were conducted on the terminal ileum sections.
Results: Group A had significantly higher bacterial translocation rates in blood cultures (p=0.033). Groups A and D showed higher bacterial growth in MLN samples compared to Groups B and C (p=0.000). Similarly, the growth rate observed in the liver samples of Group D rats was significantly higher than that in the other groups (p=0.001). Histopathological analysis revealed the most severe mucosal damage in Group A (p=0.000), while Group C exhibited the least damage and no bacterial growth.
Conclusions: Our findings clearly demonstrated that ozone therapy, particularly ozonated olive oil, significantly reduces bacterial translocation and intestinal mucosal damage in burn injuries, suggesting its potential therapeutic role in the management of such injuries.