RESUMEN
Objective To observe the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) exposure on the expression of aquaporin-1 (AQP1) and aquaporin-5 (AQP5) in rats with simulated high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE).Methods Fifty-six rats were randomly divided into five groups:control (normal),HAPE (high altitude pulmonary edema model),1 HBOT (HAPE model and HBO therapy for 1 time),2 HBOT (HAPE model and HBO therapy twice) and NOT (normal pressure oxygen therapy) groups,and was intervened accordingly.Western blotting and real-time PCR techniques were used to analyze the expression of AQP1 and AQP5 in their lungs.The wet-todry (W/D) weight ratio and morphology of the lungs was also examined.Results The protein and gene expression of AQP1 and AQP5 in the HAPE group decreased significantly compared with the control group.There were obvious differences in the protein and mRNA expression of AQP1 and AQP5 between the 2 HBOT group and the HAPE group and between the 2 HBOT group and the 1 HBOT group.Compared with the control group and the 1 HBOT group,marked lung injury could be seen in the HAPE group.Compared with the NOT group and the 1 HBOT group,lung injury in the 2 HBOT group was relieved significantly.Conclusions HAPE in rats is associated with down-regulation of the expression of AQP1 and AQP5 in the lungs.This down-regulation can be attenuated and lung injury can be alleviated by HBOT.Two sessions of HBOT could be more helpful than one for promoting this improvement.