Inspired superoxide anions attenuate blood lactate concentrations in postoperative patients.
OBJECTIVE
Low concentrations of superoxide (O(2)(-)) constitute a portion of atmosphere negative ions in the form of O(2)-(H(2)O)(n), which has been reported to have a stimulatory effect on superoxide dismutase activity. If superoxide dismutase is activated by inspired negative ions containing O(2)(-), aerobic metabolism could be improved. To test this hypothesis, we examined blood lactate concentrations in postoperative patients with or without inhalation of air from a home humidifier that generates O(2)-(H(2)O)(n).


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, controlled trial.


METHODS
Neurosurgical intensive care unit of a general hospital.


METHODS
Twenty postneurosurgical patients with arterial blood lactate concentrations >1.5 mmol/L were studied and were divided randomly into two groups.


METHODS
One group received 40 L/min 40% oxygen flow from a home humidifier as an oxygen therapy for 4 hrs, followed by almost the same flow from a jet nebulizer, which generates positive ions, for 4 hrs. The other group received the reverse combination.


RESULTS
During the 8-hr study, arterial blood lactate concentrations were measured every hour. There was a significant difference in the time course of blood lactate concentrations between the groups. In the group in which negative ions were first initiated for 4 hrs and positive ions thereafter, the lactate concentration decreased slightly at 3, 4, and 5 hrs and returned to the baseline concentration thereafter. In the group with the reverse combination, the lactate concentration did not change during the first 4 hrs but decreased thereafter after inhalation of negative ions.


CONCLUSIONS
Inspired O(2)(-) attenuates blood lactate concentrations. This may be attributed, in part, to the systemic stimulatory effect on superoxide dismutase activity, which accelerates oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria, thus attenuating lactate generation.
Iwama
Hiroshi
H
Department of Anesthesiology, Central Aizu General Hospital, Aizuwakamatsu, Japan. iwama@ochikai.jp
Ohmizo
Hiroshi
H
Furuta
Setsuo
S
Ohmori
Satoshi
S
Watanabe
Kazuhiro
K
Kaneko
Toshikazu
T
Tsutsumi
Kazuo
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010085:Oxidative Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013481:Superoxides / Q000494:pharmacology*
D007773:Lactates; D013481:Superoxides; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D010100:Oxygen