Oxygen toxicity in the perfused rat liver and lung under hyperbaric conditions.

1. In the lung and liver of tocopherol-deficient rats, the activities of glutathione peroxidase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase were increased substantially, suggesting an important role for both enzymes in protecting the organ against the deleterious effects of lipid peroxides. 2. Facilitation of the glutathione peroxidase reaction by infusing t-butyl hydroperoxide caused the oxidation of nicotinamide nucleotides and glutathione, resulting in a concomitant increase in the rate of release of oxidized glutathione into the perfusate. Thus the rate of production of lipid peroxide and H2O2 in the perfused organ could be compared by simultaneous measurement of the rate of glutathione release and the turnover number of the catalase reaction. 3. On hyperbaric oxygenation at 4 X 10(5)Pa, H2O2 production, estimated from the turnover of the catalase reaction, was increased slightly in the liver, and glutathione release was increased slightly, in both lung and liver. 4. Tocopherol deficiency caused a marked increase in lipid-peroxide formation as indicated by a corresponding increase in glutathione release under hyperbaric oxygenation, with a further enhancement when the tocopherol-deficient rats were also starved. 5. The study demonstrates that the primary response to hyperbaric oxygenation is an elevation of the rate of lipid peroxidation rather than of the rate of formation of H2O2 or superoxide.     

Effect of arginine on the arginase activity and urea content of the brain and liver of rats acclimating to cold

At cold stress (3 days exposition at 2--4 degrees C) the urea formation in rats brain and liver does not become more active, the content of extraerythrocytic hemoglobin and the total peroxydase activity increase in blood serum, the animals sensitivity to the action of hyperbaric oxygenation (HB0) grows. At cold adaptation (45 days at 2--4 degrees C) the urea content in tissues and the activity of arginase in liver increase, the concentration of extraerythrocytic hemoglobin and the total peroxydase activity normalize, animals become more resistant to HB0. Every day administration of arginine during 3-day cold effect makes the brain and liver arginase on 42 and 28% more active, increases the urea content on 26 and 19%, stabilizes the erythrocytic membranes. The animals protected by arginine against cold are more resistant to the action of HB0.     

The effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on the antioxidant status of Xenopus laevis after its preliminary adaptation to oxygen]

We studied the level of lipid peroxidation and the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) in various tissues of adult Xenopus laevis after an initial exposure to hyperbaric oxygenation at the developmental stage 38. We have found that irrespective to the mode of treatment, the level of lipid peroxidation and activity of antioxidant enzymes in the brain, lungs, and blood of these animals were higher as compared to control animals. We demonstrate that, after the exposure of adult animals to hyperoxia, if they were earlier subjected to hyperbaric oxygenation (0.2 MPa) at stage 38, there was no intensification of lipid peroxidation or changes in the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase. In adult animals initially subjected to hyperbaric oxygenation at the same stage of development but at the pressure--0.7 MPa, the second exposure to hyperoxia led to a drastic intensification of lipid peroxidation in the brain; in some animals, an increased level of lipid peroxidation products in the lungs was observed.     

Bioenergetic processes in the cerebral cortex and diensephalon during hyperbaric oxygenation therapy of acute blood loss

It has been demonstrated in experiments on 134 cats that during acute blood loss (24 +/- 0.8 ml/kg), hyperbaric oxygen therapy (3039 hPa, 60 min) stimulates cytochrome oxidase, eliminates compensatory activation of mitochondrial creatine kinase and maintains the hyperactivity of cytoplasmic creatine kinase in the diencephalon, stabilizes the elevated AMP content at the level of blood loss compensation stage, prevents the fall in pO2 and in the ATP level as well as that in the energy charge and creatine phosphate content in the sensomotor cortex and subcortex, that is typical for the decompensation stage. Besides, hyperbaric oxygen therapy also averts the development of the terminal state that supervenes in the majority of untreated animals.     

Links in the histamine metabolism in the brain of rats with sequential exposure to low- and high-pressure oxygen

Histamine content and diamine oxidase activity in rat brain under hyperbaric oxygenation have been studied. Under 0,3 MPa histamine level decreases in brain of more sensitive rats, but it does not change in brain of more resistant animals in comparison with the control ones. High oxygen pressure (0,7 MPa) causes a significant increase of histamine concentration. Diamine oxidase activity decreases under hyperoxia. Under the consequent action of high and low pressure (0,3 MPa during 1 h and 0,7 MPa) convulsions in rats begin later and alterations of histamine content in brain are less than under 0,7 MPa oxygen action only. The role of histamine at compensate reaction and cause of increasing resistance of animals to hyperoxia are discussed.     

Suppression of humoral antibody synthesis on exposure to hyperbaric oxygenation

The influence of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) on the immune response in mice, immunized intraperitoneally with sheep red blood cells, was studied. HBO was shown to reduce hemagglutinin and hemolysin titres in peripheral blood as well as to decrease the amount of antibody-forming cells in the spleen. The most pronounced immunodepressant HBO effect is seen when hyperbaric oxygenation is carried out under toxic conditions before immunization of the animals with low antigen doses. Relationship is shown between the immunodepressant HBO effect and reduced leucocyte and lymphocyte counts in peripheral blood of the animals.     

Lipid peroxidation in experimental myocardial infarct: the action of hyperbaric oxygenation

Rats with experimental myocardial infarction demonstrated decrease in the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase and increase in the content of lipid peroxidation (LPO) products and Schiff bases both in and outside the area of necrosis. The combined ischemic damage and hyperbaric oxygenation resulted in the over additive effect of accumulation of LPO products in and outside the area of infarction. The data suggest that it is desirable to use antioxidants during hyperbaric oxygenation.     

Effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on the course of experimental staphylococcal infection and on the immune status of the animal body

In guinea pigs infected with staphylococci by subcutaneous injection a decreased content of T-lymphocytes, an increased number of B-lymphocytes and lower levels of lysozyme and complement were observed. When subjected to the action of hyperbaric oxygenation, the animals, both intact or infected with staphylococci, showed the aggravation of staphylococcal infection, a decrease in the number of T-lymphocytes and an increase in the content of B-lymphocytes. In the intact animals hyperbaric oxygenation stimulated the production of complement and lysozyme, produced a decrease in the number of T-lymphocytes and an increase in the number of B-lymphocytes.     

Hyperbaric oxygen induces apoptosis via a mitochondrial mechanism

During therapeutic hyperbaric oxygenation lymphocytes are exposed to high partial pressures of oxygen. This study aimed to analyze the mechanism of apoptosis induction by hyperbaric oxygen. For intervals of 0.5–4 h Jurkat-T-cells were exposed to ambient air or oxygen atmospheres at 1–3 absolute atmospheres. Apoptosis was analyzed by phosphatidylserine externalization, caspase-3 activation and DNA-fragmentation using flow cytometry. Apoptosis was already induced after 30 min of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO, P < 0.05). The death receptor Fas was downregulated. Inhibition of caspase-9 but not caspase-8 blocked apoptosis induction by HBO. Hyperbaric oxygen caused a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and caspase-9 induction. The mitochondrial pro-survival protein Bcl-2 was upregulated, and antagonizing Bcl-2 function potentiated apoptosis induction by HBO. In conclusion, a single exposure to hyperbaric oxygenation induces lymphocyte apoptosis by a mitochondrial and not a Fas-related mechanism. Regulation of Fas and Bcl-2 may be regarded as protective measures of the cell in response to hyperbaric oxygen.     

Oxidative phosphorylation in the rat liver mitochondria under activation of lipid peroxidation

The immobilization stress and oxygen effect under pressure of 0.8 atm (hyperbaric oxygenation) considerably activate lipid peroxidation both in the blood serum and rat liver mitochondria. Inhibition and partial separation of oxidative phosphorylation being more pronounced with intensification of lipid peroxidation are simultaneously observed.     

Structural changes in the lungs induced by different levels of hyperbaric oxygenation

Morphological and ultrastructural changes in the lungs of 30 rabbits placed into the altitude chamber with 100% O2 and the pressure of 2, 2.5, 3 and 4 ata for 60 min daily during 1, 2 and 3 weeks have been studied. Morphological changes in the lungs were shown to depend on the degree and duration of oxygen pressure. 2 ata for 60 min daily during two weeks or 2.5 ata for 60 min daily during one week were considered to be safe regimens of hyperbaric oxygenation. Microcirculatory disorders and dystrophic changes of the aero-hematogenic barrier (AHB), its increased permeability, the development of intraalveolar and interstitial edema are observed in the lungs at a higher pressure of 3 or 4 ata. The endothelium and type I alveolocytes are more sensible to high doses of hyperbaric oxygenation. Hydropic degeneration and exfoliation of cells from the basilar membrane are gradually increasing. Type II alveolocytes are more stable to the destructive action of hyperbaric oxygenation. Greater dystrophic changes in other AHB elements are associated with the hypertrophy of mitochondria and lamellar bodies. The described AHB changes are more expressed in atelectasis areas.     

The effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on the viability of human fat injected into nude mice

Autologous free-fat injection for the correction of soft-tissue defects has become a common procedure in plastic surgery. The main shortcoming of this method for achieving permanent soft-tissue augmentation is the partial absorption of the injected fat, an occurrence that leads to the need for both overcorrection and repeated fat reinjection. Improving the oxygenation of the injected fat has been suggested as a means of helping to overcome the initial critical phase that occurs postinjection (when the fat cells are nourished by osmosis), increasing phagocyte activity, accelerating fibroblast activity and collagen formation, and enhancing angiogenesis. In addition, the hyperbaric oxygen-mediated decrement in endothelial leukocyte adhesion will decrease cytokine release, thereby reducing edema and inflammatory responses. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on improving the viability of injected fat. Adipose tissue obtained from human breasts by suction-assisted lipectomy was injected into the subcuticular nuchal region in nude mice. The mice were then exposed to daily hyperbaric oxygen treatments, breathing 100% oxygen at 2 atmospheres absolute (ATA) for 90 minutes. The duration of the administered hyperbaric oxygen therapy was 5, 10, or 15 days, according to the study group. Mice exposed to normobaric air alone served as the control group, and each group included 10 animals. The rats were killed 15 weeks after fat injection. The grafts were dissected out, weight and volume were measured, and histologic evaluation was performed. In all of the study groups, at least part of the injected fat survived, giving the desired clinical outcome. No significant differences could be found between the groups regarding fat weight and volume. Histopathologic examination of the dissected grafts demonstrated a significantly better integrity of the fat tissue in the group that received hyperbaric oxygen for 5 days (p = 0.047). This finding was manifested by the presence of well-organized, intact fat cells, along with a normal appearance of the fibrous septa and blood vessels. The worst results were found in animals treated by hyperbaric oxygenation for 15 consecutive days. An inverse correlation was found between an increased dose of the high-pressure oxygen and fat tissue integrity (r = -0.87, p = 0.076). The toxic effects of highly reactive oxygen species on fat cells might explain the failure of an excessively high dose of hyperbaric oxygen to provide any beneficial outcome. The clinical relevance of these results should be further investigated.     

Cytogenetic after-effects of fractionated and prolonged exposure to hyperbaric oxygenation

The effect of hyperbaric oxygenation was investigated in bone marrow cells of rats, at prolongated and fractionated regimes usually employed in medicine. As a result of this study, it was pointed out that fractionated treatment of animals at I ata I h during 5 and 10 days affects the rats cytogenetically and causes several chromosomal damages. Prolongated treatment with high pressure oxygen was of a less mutagenic activity. The data obtained suggest nondirect action of this mutagen on the genetic apparatus.     

急性减压病大鼠肺组织粘附分子的变化

目的:探讨急性减压病大鼠肺组织中内粘附分子的改变。方法:雄性SD大鼠置于加压舱内,压缩空气在3 min内匀速加压至0.7 MPa,停留60 min后,3 min内快速减压出舱。观察减压后生存率、减压病症状。在减压后30 min、6 h、24 h取大鼠脑、肺及肝脏组织,甲醛溶液固定、切片、HE染色观测病理改变。免疫组化测定肺组织中细胞间粘附分子-1(ICAM-1)、E-选择素(E-selectin)、主要组织相容性复合体-Ⅱ(MHC-Ⅱ)的表达变化。在减压后6h、24 h前30 min,大鼠尾静脉注射2%evans blue溶液。30 min后行生理盐水灌注,收集肺组织,观测肺组织蓝染程度,酶标仪测定血浆中evans blue含量。结果:肺、肝及脑组织在减压后30 min出现水肿、淤血等病理表现。和正常组比较,肺组织中ICAM-1、E-selectin、MHC-Ⅱ在减压后明显上升,并呈现动态变化。相对于正常组,减压后6 h、24h肺组织血浆中evans blue含量明显增加。结论:气泡导致的,粘附分子介导的血管内皮受损是减压病的发病机制之一。     

Effect of hyperoxia on liver necrosis induced by hepatotoxins

We have tested the effects of hyperbaric oxygen on necrosis of rat liver induced by the administration of several toxins. The extent of liver necrosis was determined 24 h after the administration of the toxins by measurement of serum levels of alanine and aspartate amino-transferases and by histologic and ultrastructural analyses. Treatment with hyperbaric oxygen decreases carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced necrosis in a manner dependent upon duration and pressure of oxygen exposure. Pretreatment of rats with phenobarbital diminishes this protective effect. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment before or immediately after CCl4 intoxication is protective. Loss of protection is rapid; hyperbaric oxygen treatment 6 h after CCl4 intoxication augments the liver necrosis. No delayed necrogenic effects of CCl4 are seen in the animals treated with hyperbaric oxygen immediately. Hyperbaric oxygen augments the liver necrosis induced by acetaminophen, bromobenzene, dimethylnitrosamine or thioacetamide. This augmented necrosis is averted by prolonged treatment with hyperbaric oxygen. Hyperbaric oxygen has no effect on liver injury induced by galactosamine or lipopolysaccharide. We conclude that hyperoxia decreases the hepatic necrosis induced by compounds which undergo reductive biotransformation by the cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase system; hyperoxia augments the necrosis induced by compounds which undergo oxidative biotransformation by this system. Biotransformation of toxins appears to be nonspecifically inhibited by hyperoxic exposure of long duration.     

The effect of oxidative stress on nitrosomethylurea-induced mutagenesis in sunflower <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helianthus annuus</Emphasis> L.

The effect of hyberbaric oxygenation on mutagenicity of nitrosomethylurea (NMU) was examined. It was shown that in the regimes studied, hyperbaric oxygenation enhances the NMU mutagenic effect on the plastid genetic material of sunflower. Possible mechanisms of the increase of NMU-induced mutagenesis by hyperbaric oxygenation are discussed.Translated from Genetika, Vol. 41, No. 1, 2005, pp. 63–70.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Usatov, Mashkina, Guskov.     

Hemoglobin, transferrin and total iron content in the blood serum in hyperoxia and during the protective action of urea]

A rise of hemoglobin concentration accompanied by an increase of the total iron in the blood serum of white mice was found under oxygen pressure of 4 atm for an hour (preconvulsive state) and 6 atm (convulsive state). Changes in correlations of hemoglobin fractions in the blood serum were detected in both stages of oxygen poisoning by disc-electrophoresis in 7.5% polyacrylamide gel. A rise of transferrin concentration under these conditions (hyperoxia) was observed. The deflections occurred were less pronounced following administration of urea to the animals before hyperbaric oxygenation.     

Study of bromthymol blue-prealbumin in the blood serum of rats under hyperbaric oxygenation]

Three-fold increase of BTB-prealbumin (Rm 1.0) in rat serum following fierse convulsions under hyperbaric oxygenation (6 ati, 30-35 min) has been proved by disc electrophoresis. Glial S100-protein and 7-fold increase in the all-organ component of brain BTB-prealbumin were found by immunochemistry to appear in the serum of experimental rats. The consequences of disorders in the blood-brain barrier for non-specific, all-organ proteins and potentialities of protein output from the brain into the blood similarly to neurophysins under hyperbaric oxygenation are discussed.     

Juxtaglomerular apparatus and interstitial cells of the kidney medulla after the administration of certain drugs and use of hyperbaric oxygenation

Electron microscopy was used to examine the status of the juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) and interstitial cells (IC) 3 and 24 hours after administration of furosemide (10 mg/kg), indomethacin (10 mg/kg), venoruton (500 mg/kg) and trental (100 mg/kg), and after 1,6 an 12 sessions of hyperbaric oxygenation. To evaluate objectively the results of examining the JGA, use was made of a method devised by the authors of a mathematical appraisal of granulation from the density of the epithelioid cells. Granulation of 50 IC from each animal was calculated on semi-thin araldite sections stained methylene blue-azur II-fuchsin. The results indicate that all the types of exposure including hyperbaric oxygenation produced JGA activation whose degree varied depending on the time elapsed after exposure. An apparently great increase in the JGA activity was detected after injection of furosemide and indomethacin. All the drugs with the exception of furosemide entailed granule accumulation after 3 hours, followed by the recovery of their amount after 24 hours. Furosemide injection produced a reverse effect.     

BCNU-induced protection from hyperbaric hyperoxia: role of glutathione metabolism

To explore the role of the glutathione oxidation-reduction cycle in altering the sensitivity of rats to the effects of hyperbaric hyperoxia, we administered N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea (BCNU) to decrease tissue glutathione reductase activity. We then exposed these animals and their matched vehicle-treated controls to 100% O2 at 4 ATA. Animals that received BCNU and were immediately exposed to hyperbaric O2 showed enhanced toxicity by seizing earlier in the exposure than controls. Animals that received BCNU 18 h before the hyperbaric O2 exposure were paradoxically protected from the effects of the exposure with a prolongation of their time to initial seizure and a marked increase in their survival time during the exposure. Tissue glutathione concentrations were also measured in the various groups and the hyperbaric O2 exposure produced marked decreases in hepatic glutathione levels in all control animals. In animals treated with BCNU 18 h before exposure, hepatic glutathione concentrations also decreased, but the concentrations had significantly increased during the 18-h waiting period, allowing these animals to maintain hepatic levels in the normal range even during their hyperbaric exposures. We conclude that treatment of rats with BCNU 18 h before exposure to hyperbaric hyperoxia results in enhanced protection of the animals during the exposure.