Effects of hyperbaric oxygen on the systemic inflammation response in patients with severe traumatic brain injury / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on the systemic inflammation response in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), and to explore HBO therapy mechanisms. Methods Seventy patients with severe TBI were randomly divided into a routine treatment group ( RT group, n = 35 ) and an HBO group (n=35). All patients received conventional treatment, but the HBO group received additional early HBO therapy. Twenty age-and sex-matched normal subjects were recruited and served as normal controls. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) was measured by ELISA, and C reactive protein (CRP) was also measured on days 1, 7, 14 and 21 after injury. Sequential organ failure assessments (SOFAs) and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores were evaluated at the same time points. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) was assessed daily. Results The concentrations of serum IL-6 and CRP increased obviously following TBI, but patients in the HBO group exhibited significantly lower levels at each time point than those in the RT group. In the HBO group fewer cases of SIRS developed,and they had a significantly shorter average duration than those in the RT group. The average SOFA score in the HBO group was significantly lower than that of the RT group at days 14 and 21 after injury, and the GCS scores had improved significantly more by day 21. Compared with the patients who were free of SIRS, the patients with SIRS showed higher levels of IL-6 and CRP, higher SOFA scores as well as lower GCS scores ( all differences statistically significant). Conclusions HBO therapy can attenuate systemic inflammation after TBI, protect the functions of important organs and improve clinical outcomes. Decreasing the level of IL-6 may contribute to the effectiveness of HBO.