Hyperbaric oxygenation improves anterior pituitary function after traumatic brain injury / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To observe the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on the pituitary function of patients with subacute traumatic brain injury.Methods:Sixty-six patients with subacute traumatic brain injury and hypopituitarism were randomly divided into a control group ( n=33) and an HBO group ( n=33). Patients in both groups were given conventional treatment including dehydration to reduce intracranial pressure, anti-infection medication, epilepsy and bed sores prevention measures, neurotrophic treatment, fluid replacement and rehabilitation. The HBO group was additionally given HBO at 0.2MPa (2.0ATA), once a day, 6 times a week for a total of 20 administrations. Before and after the treatment, serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), growth hormone (GH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), prolactin (PRL), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), cortisol, insulin-like growth factor 1, free tetraiodothyronine, testosterone, and estradiol levels were detected using chemical immunoluminescence. The ACTH, GH, TSH, PRL, LH and FSH values were used to calculate general pituitary hormone scores. Results:After the treatment, the average PRL, LH and testosterone levels and the general pituitary hormone score in the HBO group were significantly higher than among the controls.Conclusions:HBO treatment can increase the levels of various hormones in patients with subacute traumatic brain injury and promote the recovery of pituitary function.