The role of Nrf2 in the antioxidant cellular response to medical ozone exposure

Abstract

Ozone (O3) is a natural, highly unstable atmospheric gas that rapidly decomposes to oxygen.oxygenAlthough not being a radical molecule, O3 is a very strong oxidant and therefore it is potentiallypotenttoxic for living organisms. However, scientific evidence proved that the effects of O3 exposureexposuare dose-dependent: high dosages stimulate severe oxidative stress resulting in inflammatory responseinflamand tissue injury, whereas low O3 concentrations induce a moderate oxidative eustress activatingoxidatantioxidant pathways. These properties make O3 a powerful medical tool, which can be used as eithertool, wa disinfectant or an adjuvant agent in the therapy of numerous diseases. In this paper, the cellulardiseasmechanisms involved in the antioxidant response to O3 exposure will be reviewed with specialwill be reference to the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its role in2 the(Nrf2efficacy of ozone therapy. Keywo.