Hyperbaric oxygenation attenuates renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

BACKGROUND: Oxygen-derived free radicals play an important role in ischemia-reperfusion injury (IR). Hyperbaric oxygenation (HO) decreases free radical production. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of HO treatment on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. METHODS: Rats were divided into four groups. All groups underwent right nephrectomy. Group I served as the control group; group II had left renal ischemia-reperfusion; group III was pretreated with HO; and group IV, ischemia-reperfusion and HO pretreatment. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured, and histopathologic damage scored. RESULTS: HO pretreatment significantly decreased tissue MDA levels and histopathologic scores among rats with IR. There was an increased GSH in HO-pretreated rats with IR; however, the difference was not significant. CONCLUSION: HO prior to ischemia displayed a beneficial effect on renal IR by reducing oxygen radical peroxidation of lipid membranes.

The effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on oxidative stress in experimental acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

Various protocols may be used for acute pancreatitis treatment. Recently, the benefit of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) has been demonstrated. To clarify the mechanism of HBO on the process of the acute pancreatitis, we determined the levels of antioxidant enzymes in an acute pancreatitis model. Forty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: Group I: sham group (n=15), Group II: pancreatitis group (n=15), Group III: pancreatitis group undergoing HBO therapy (n=15). HBO was applied postoperatively for 5 days, two sessions per day at 2.5 fold absolute atmospheric pressure (ATA) for 90 min. Superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH Px) activity were measured in pancreatic tissue and erythrocyte lysate. MDA and GSH Px were also determined in plasma. In addition, amylase levels were measured in the serum. While serum amylase levels and MDA values in erythrocyte, plasma and pancreatic tissue were decreased, the levels of GSH Px and SOD were found to be significantly increased in the Group III as compared to those of the Group II. The findings of our study suggest that HBO has beneficial effects on the course of acute pancreatitis and this effect may occur through the antioxidant systems.

Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on fetal spinal grafts: an experimental study.

In neural transplantation, lack of oxygen supply to the graft in acute stage is an important problem. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) on fetal spinal grafts. Spinal cord tissues obtained from 16-day fetal rats were transplanted into the spinal cord of adult Wistar rats (n = 30). After transplantation, they were randomly divided into two groups (n = 15 for each group); Group 1 received transplant alone, group 2 received transplant and HBO2 therapy consisting of 100% oxygen at 2.5 atm abs for 90 min twice a day for 7 days. Seven days after their surgery, all animals were killed for histologic examination. Degenerative changes, parenchymal integrity, host spinal cord edema, and vascularization of the graft were scored on a 3-point scale. Scores of these parameters were statistically analyzed. The graft survival rates in groups 1 and 2 were 54.5% and 71.4%, respectively. Animals treated with HBO2 showed statistically less spinal cord edema than the untreated groups (P < 0.05). Parenchymal integrity was also significantly better in this group (P < 0.05). The results indicate that edema reduction effect of HBO2 prevents the displacement of graft from the gap and contributes to the integration between the graft and host.

The effect of antioxidant vitamins E and C on lipoperoxidation of erythrocyte membranes during hyperbaric oxygenation.

The aim of this research was to determine whether administration of an antioxidant vitamin combination can reduce oxidative damage in erythrocytes induced by hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO). Malonyldialdehyde (MDA) levels and osmotic fragility ratios in erythrocytes of 28 rats were compared in group A [control], group B [Vitamin (E + C)], group C [HBO] and group D [HBO + Vitamin (E + C)]. HBO was applied at a pressure of 2.8 atmospheres absolute (ATA), 1 hour daily, for 45 days in groups C and D. Administration of alpha-tocopherol acetate (40 mg/kg) and Na-ascorbate (200 mg/kg) was initiated 3 days before the start of HBO exposures and administered intraperitoneally 3 times a week for 45 days. MDA levels and osmotic fragility ratios were significantly higher in group C than in groups A and B (p < 0.05 for all). Significant decreases in MDA levels and osmotic fragility were observed in group D compared with group C, although these parameters were still significantly higher than in controls (p < 0.05 for all). Prolonged HBO resulted in oxidative damage indicated by significant increases in MDA levels and osmotic fragility ratios, which were reduced by concomitant vitamin (E + C) administration.

Fournier's disease: adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy to classic therapy.

Fournier's disease is a very rare and highly fatal necrotizing fasciitis of genital and perineal tissues. Conventional treatment of Fournier's disease includes surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy. We describe a case of Fournier's disease where we added hyperbaric oxygen therapy to the conventional treatment regimen.

Intraspinal hemorrhage in a child with factor XIII deficiency.

The rarity of spinal cord injuries and hemorrhages and of fibrin-stabilizing factor XIII deficiency during childhood has induced us to report the case of this two-year-old boy with factor XIII deficiency who presented with cervical intraspinal hemorrhage between the C4 and C7 levels as well as paraplegia presumably following a minor trauma. The findings in this patient, who was brought in two weeks after the appearance of the first symptoms, indicate the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention to minimize the extent of the damage from the injury in such cases. The case also points to the need for close follow-up of patients with factor XIII deficiency for CNS bleeding.