Effects of antibiotic and intra-peritoneal ozone administration on proinflammatory cytokine formation, antioxidant levels and abdominal organ functions in the treatment of experimentally generated infectious peritonitis in rabbits

In this study we investigated the effects of antibiotic and intraperitoneal ozone administration on pro-inflammatory cytokine, antioxidant levels and tissue damage in the treatment of experimentally infectious peritonitis. Thirty-three adult male New Zealand White Rabbits were used. The study consisted of four groups including the non-treatment group (G1), antibiotic group (G2), ozone group (G3) and ozone + antibiotic group (G4). Trimethoprim sulfadimethylprymidine was administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg subcutaneously (s.c.) and amoxicillin sodium at a dose of 15 mg/kg intramuscularly (i.m.). Medical ozone was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) at a concentration of 30 µg O3/ml and dose of 80 ml/kg. Once peritonitis was produced, blood samples were taken from the animals before treatment and at regular intervals following treatment. Blood samples were used for haemograms and to measure levels of antioxidant and oxidative enzymes and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Tissue samples were examined histopathologically. There was no statistically significant difference between groups with respect to levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Antioxidant enzymes were found to be higher in groups G2 and G3. The granulocyte and lymphocyte values in group G3 were determined to increase earlier than in the other groups. The peritonitis scores were similar in G1 and G3, which is higher compared to G2 and G4 groups. Minimal tissue damage was observed in the group G2. It was concluded that antibiotic use for preventing peritoneum damage in experimental acute peritonitis was more effective than ozone therapy alone.