Role of protein synthesis in the protection conferred by ozone-oxidative-preconditioning in hepatic ischaemia/reperfusion

The liver is damaged by sustained ischaemia during liver transplantation, and the reperfusion after ischaemia results in further functional impairment. Ozone oxidative preconditioning (OzoneOP) protected the liver against ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury through different mechanisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the inhibition of protein synthesis on the protective actions conferred by OzoneOP in hepatic I/R. Rats were treated with cycloheximide (CHX) in order to promote protein synthesis inhibition after OzoneOP treatment. Plasma transaminases, malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxyalkenals and morphological characteristics were measured as an index of hepatocellular damage; Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), Mn-SOD, catalase, total hydroperoxides and glutathione levels as markers of endogenous antioxidant system. OzoneOP increased Mn-SOD isoform and ameliorated mitochondrial damage. CHX abrogated the protection conferred by OzonoOP and decreased Mn-SOD activity. Cellular redox balance disappeared when CHX was introduced. Protein synthesis is involved in the protective mechanisms mediated by OzoncOP. Ozone treatment preserved mitochondrial functions and cellular redox balance.