¹Kafkas University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, TR-36300 Kars - TURKEY
²Kafkas University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, TR-36300 Kars - TURKEY
³Kafkas University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ortopedics and Traumatology, TR-36300 Kars - TURKEY DOI : 10.9775/kvfd.2017.18058 To investigate the effects of ozone treatment on soft tissue injury and to observe whether there is an alteration in serum IGF-1 levels after ozone treatment in an experimental rat model. Twenty-four adult Wistar albino 240-350 g male rats were randomly allocated into two groups. A standardized, experimental soft tissue injury was created on left hind limbs of animals. Group 1 underwent daily ozone treatment intraperitoneally (20 μg/mL), while Group 2 received only nutrition and routine care. All rats were evaluated regarding body weight and sensory and motor function on 5th and 15th days after experimental trauma. Blood samples were drawn from intracardiac in group 1 and group 2 serum levels of IGF-1 level were measured at the day of 15th. During follow-up period after formation of soft tissue injury, three rats in Group 2 had cutaneous infection that responded well to topical tetracycline treatment. Two groups displayed similar results regarding sensory and motor functions on 5th and 15th days. Serum IGF-1 level in Group 1 was significantly higher than that of Group 1 (P=0.03). Serum IGF-1 level was correlated with motor function on day 15 in Group 1 (P=0.04) and with motor function on day 5 in Group 2 (P=0.011). Ozone treatment may have favorable impacts on healing and regeneration process in connective and muscle tissues and these beneficial effects may be mediated by IGF-1. Further research is warranted to elucidate the role of IGF-1 in repair process and to provide additional new insights to the treatment strategies. Keywords : Ozone, Wound healing, Injury, Muscle, Rat, IGF-1