Protective Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen on Cognitive Impairment Induced by <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-Galactose in Mice

Memory decline is characteristic of aging and age-related neurodegenerative disorders. This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) against cognitive impairment induced by d-galactose (d-gal) in mice. d-gal was intraperitoneally injected into mice daily for 8 weeks to establish the aging model. HBO was simultaneously administered once daily. The results indicate that HBO significantly reversed D-gal-induced learning and memory impairments. Studies on the potential mechanisms of this action showed that HBO significantly reduced oxidative stress by increasing superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase levels, as well as the total anti-oxidation capability, while decreasing the content of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and nitric oxide synthase in the hippocampal CA1 region. HBO also inhibited advanced glycation end-product formation and decreased levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6. Moreover, HBO significantly attenuated d-gal-induced pathological injury in the hippocampus, as well as β-amyloid protein_1?42 expression and retained BDNF expression. Furthermore, HBO decreased p16, p21 and p53 gene and protein expression in the hippocampus of d-gal-treated mice. In conclusion, the protective effect of HBO against d-gal-induced cognitive impairment was mainly due to its ability to reduce oxidative damage, suppress inflammatory responses, and regulate aging-related gene expression.     

Preventive effects of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on glycerol-induced myoglobinuric acute renal failure in rats

Myoglobinuric acute renal failure (ARF) is a uremic syndrome caused by traumatic or non-traumatic skeletal muscle breakdown and intracellular elements that are released into the bloodstream. We hypothesized that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy could be beneficial in the treatment of myoglobinuric ARF caused by rhabdomyolysis. A total of 32 rats were used in the study. The rats were divided into four groups: control, control+hyperbaric oxygen (control+HBO), ARF, and ARF+hyperbaric oxygen (ARF+HBO). Glycerol (8 ml/kg) was injected into the hind legs of each of the rats in ARF and ARF+HBO groups. 2.5 atmospheric absolute HBO was applied to the rats in the control+HBO and ARF+HBO groups for 90 min on two consecutive days. Plasma urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, calcium, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactic dehydrogenase, creatinine kinase and urine creatinine and sodium were examined. Creatinine clearance and fractional sodium excretion could then be calculated. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed in renal tissue. Tissue samples were evaluated by Hematoxylin-eosin, PCNA and TUNEL staining histopathologically. MDA levels were found to be significantly decreased whereas SOD and CAT were twofold higher in the ARF+HBO group compared to the ARF group. Renal function tests were ameliorated by HBO therapy. Semiquantitative evaluation of histopathological findings indicated that necrosis and cast formation was decreased by HBO therapy and TUNEL staining showed that apoptosis was inhibited. PCNA staining showed that HBO therapy did not increase regeneration. Ultimately, we conclude that, in accordance with our hypothesis, HBO could be beneficial in the treatment of myoglobinuric ARF.     

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment effects on in vitro cultured umbilical cord blood CD34+ cells

Background aims

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) provides an alternative source for hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) in the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, clinical usage is limited due to the low quantity of HSPCs in each unit of cord blood and defects in bone marrow homing. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is among the more recently explored methods used to improve UCB homing and engraftment. HBO works by lowering the host erythropoietin before UCB infusion to facilitate UCB HSPC homing, because such UCB cells are not directly exposed to HBO. In this study, we examined how direct treatment of UCB-CD34⁺ cells with HBO influences their differentiation, proliferation and in vitro transmigration.

Hyperbaric oxygen prevents early death caused by experimental cerebral malaria

Background

Cerebral malaria (CM) is a syndrome characterized by neurological signs, seizures and coma. Despite the fact that CM presents similarities with cerebral stroke, few studies have focused on new supportive therapies for the disease. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy has been successfully used in patients with numerous brain disorders such as stroke, migraine and atherosclerosis.

Methodology/Principal Findings

C57BL/6 mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) were exposed to daily doses of HBO (100% O₂, 3.0 ATA, 1–2 h per day) in conditions well-tolerated by humans and animals, before or after parasite establishment. Cumulative survival analyses demonstrated that HBO therapy protected 50% of PbA-infected mice and delayed CM-specific neurological signs when administrated after patent parasitemia. Pressurized oxygen therapy reduced peripheral parasitemia, expression of TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-10 mRNA levels and percentage of γδ and αβ CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes sequestered in mice brains, thus resulting in a reduction of blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction and hypothermia.

Conclusions/Significance

The data presented here is the first indication that HBO treatment could be used as supportive therapy, perhaps in association with neuroprotective drugs, to prevent CM clinical outcomes, including death.     

Hyperbaric Oxygen Preconditioning Induces Tolerance against Oxidative Injury and Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation by Up-Regulating Heat Shock Protein 32 in Rat Spinal Neurons

Objective

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) preconditioning (HBO-PC) has been testified to have protective effects on spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the mechanisms remain enigmatic. The present study aimed to explore the effects of HBO-PC on primary rat spinal neurons against oxidative injury and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and the relationship with heat shock proteins (HSPs).

Methods

Primary rat spinal neurons after 7 days of culture were used in this study. HSPs were detected in rat spinal neurons following a single exposure to HBO at different time points by Western blot. Using lactate dehydrogenase release assay and cell counting kit-8 assay, the injuries induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) insult or OGD were determined and compared among neurons treated with HBO-PC with or without HSP inhibitors.

Results

The results of Western blot showed that HSP27, HSP70 and HSP90 have a slight but not significant increase in primary neurons following HBO exposure. However, HSP32 expression significantly increased and reached highest at 12 h following HBO exposure. HBO-PC significantly increased the cell viability and decreased the medium lactate dehydrogenase content in cultures treated with H2O2 or OGD. Pretreatment with zinc protoporphyrin IX, a specific inhibitor of HSP32, significantly blocked the protective effects of HBO-PC.

Conclusions

These results suggest that HBO-PC could protect rat spinal neurons in vitro against oxidative injury and OGD mostly by up-regulating of HSP32 expression.     

Hyperbaric oxygen enhances apoptosis in hematopoietic cells

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is 100% oxygen administered at elevated atmospheric pressure. In this study, we examined the effect of HBO on hematopoietic cell apoptosis. Cells exposed to HBO were incubated in a chamber containing 97.9% O₂ and 2.1% CO₂ at 2.4 atmospheres absolute (ATA). HBO enhanced spontaneous HL-60 cell apoptosis in a time-dependent manner; a 12 h exposure increased apoptosis by 42%. Exposing these cells to hyperoxia at standard atmospheric pressure (95% O₂, 5% CO₂ at 1 ATA) or increased pressure alone (8.75% O₂, 2.1% CO₂ at 2.4 ATA) had minimal effect on apoptosis. HBO also enhanced stimulus-induced apoptosis. HL-60 cells stimulated to die using radiation underwent 33% more apoptosis than cells exposed to radiation alone. HBO enhanced melphalan, camptothecin, and chlorambucil-induced apoptosis by 22%, 13%, and 8%, respectively. Jurkat cells stimulated to die with anti-Fas antibody underwent 44% more apoptosis when exposed to HBO. Spontaneous apoptosis was increased by 15% in HBO-exposed murine thymocytes. HBO's effect on apoptosis did not require new protein synthesis. As expected, HBO exposure increased the intracellular concentration of H₂O₂. Incubating HL-60 cells in the presence of dehydroascorbic acid partially abrogated HBO-induced increases in intracellular H₂O₂ and apoptosis. In summary, HBO enhances spontaneous and stimulus-induced apoptosis in hematopoietic cells, at least in part, by enhancing the intracellular accumulation of H₂O₂.     

The Efficacy of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Animal Studies: A Meta-Analysis

Background

Inconsistent results have been reported for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) for acute stroke. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the benefit of HBO in animal studies of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).

Methods

A systematic search of the literature published prior to September 2015 was performed using Embase, Medline (OvidSP), Web of Science and PubMed. Keywords included “hyperoxia” OR “hyperbaric oxygen” OR “HBO” AND “isch(a)emia” OR “focal cerebral ischemia” OR “stroke” OR “infarct” OR “middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).” The primary endpoints were the infarct size and/or neurological outcome score evaluated after HBO treatment in MCAO. Heterogeneity was analyzed using Cochrane Library’s RevMan 5.3.5.

Results

Fifty-one studies that met the inclusion criteria were identified among the 1198 studies examined. When compared with control group data, HBO therapy resulted in infarct size reduction or improved neurological function (32% decrease in infarct size; 95% confidence interval (CI), range 28%–37%; p < 0.00001). Mortality was 18.4% in the HBO group and 26.7% in the control group (RR 0.72, 95% CI, 0.54–0.98; p = 0.03). Subgroup analysis showed that a maximal neuro-protective effect was reached when HBO was administered immediately after MCAO with an absolute atmospheric pressure (ATA) of 2.0 (50% decrease; 95% CI, 43% -57% decrease; p < 0.0001) and more than 6 hours HBO treatment (53% decrease; 95% CI, 41% -64% decrease; p = 0.0005).

Conclusions

HBO had a neuro-protective effect and improved survival in animal models of MCAO, especially in animals given more than 6 hours of HBO and when given immediately after MCAO with 2.0 ATA.     

Activation of BDNF mRNA and protein after seizures in hyperbaric oxygen: implications for sensitization to seizures in re-exposures

Previous studies have demonstrated that exposure to convulsive doses of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) increases sensitivity to seizures in re-exposures. Because brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is induced after a variety of seizures and increases cell excitability, it may contribute to the mechanism of sensitization. In this study, a fast induction in BDNF mRNA 2 hr after seizures and a temporary increase in BDNF protein 1 day after seizures induced by 100% O₂ at 5 atm (gauge pressure) were demonstrated in the rat cortex. To determine whether an elevation in BDNF protein level can modify sensitivity to the toxic effect of HBO, recombinant BDNF (12 g) was injected into cerebral ventricles 30 min prior to exposure. Administration of exogenous BDNF significantly shortened latent time to seizures in HBO exposures. We propose that upregulation of BDNF expression in the brain after seizures may contribute to sensitization to HBO toxicity.     

高压氧联合化疗药物对结肠腺癌细胞 T 26 小C鼠移植瘤生长的影响

目的：探讨高压氧联合化疗药物对结肠腺癌细胞CT26小鼠移植瘤生长的影响。方法：建立小鼠结肠腺癌移植瘤模型,观察0．2MpaHBO及联合化疗药物5．FU或紫杉醇对荷瘤小鼠肿瘤生长的影响,计算肿瘤抑制率;用流式细胞仪观察0．2MpaHBO对CT26细胞周期的影响。结果：动物实验结果显示：HBO组小鼠肿瘤体积抑制率为：22．39％,肿瘤质量抑制率为：25．77％;5-Fu组分别为：42.38％,43．61％;5-FU＋HBO组分别为：72．10％,71．47％;紫杉醇组分别为：26．31％,23．04％;紫杉醇＋HBO分别为：33．24％。30．96％,5-FU＋HBO组与5-FU组及HB0组相比较有显著性差异（p〈0．01）;紫杉醇＋HB0组与紫杉醇组及HBO组相比差异不明显。流式细胞仪检测结果显示：0,2MpaHBO诱导CT26细胞在S期积蓄（G0／G1期（55．89％）、S期（40．79％）、G2／M期（3-32％））。结论：0．2MpaHBO可抑制了CT26结肠腺癌小鼠移植瘤的生长。并能增强细胞周期特异性化疗药物的敏感性。     

Short duration hyperbaric oxygen treatment effects blood flow in rats: pilot observations

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment has been found to improve healing in living tissues, especially those poor in oxygen. The effects of HBO have also been tested in rat experiments. However, oxygen partial pressure in rat's arterial blood is normally about twice that in humans. Disregarding this, a human HBO protocol has been applied in previous rat experiments with HBO. Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) is a non-invasive means for measuring blood flow. Using LDF, we measured the blood perfusion rate in rats receiving HBO, according to a modified protocol, in a region of healing soft tissue with bone defect. The results indicate that, in rats, shorter HBO treatment with high O2 pressure can significantly improve the blood flow of healing tissues. In this study, an elevated blood perfusion rate was still evident 2 weeks after the ending of HBO therapy, which indicates improved revascularization in the wound area. A short HBO protocol would save time and effort in future HBO experiments on rats.     

Neuroprotective effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on neuronal death induced by sciatic nerve transection in rat

Background

Recent studies shows that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy exerts some protective effects against neural injuries. The purpose of this study was to determine the neuroprotective effects of HBO following sciatic nerve transection (SNT).

Methods

Rats were randomly divided into five groups (n?=?14 per group): Sham-operated (SH) group, SH?+?HBO group, SNT group, and SNT?+?pre- and SNT?+?post-HBO groups (100% oxygen at 2.0 atm absolute, 60 min/day for five consecutive days beginning on 1 day before and immediately after nerve transaction, respectively). Spinal cord segments of the sciatic nerve and related dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) were removed 4 weeks after nerve transection for biochemical assessment of malodialdehyde (MDA) levels in spinal cord, biochemical assessment of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalse (CAT) activities in spinal cord, immunohistochemistry of caspase-3, cyclooxigenase-2 (COX-2), S100beta (S100ß), and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) in spinal cord and DRG.

Results

The results revealed that MDA levels were significantly decreased in the SNT?+?pre-HBO group, while SOD and CAT activities were significantly increased in SNT?+?pre- and SNT?+?post-HBO treated rats. Attenuated caspase-3 and COX-2 expression, and TUNEL reaction could be significantly detected in the HBO-treated rats after nerve transection. Also, HBO significantly increased S100ß expression.

Conclusions

Based on these results, we can conclude that pre- and post-HBO therapy had neuroprotective effects against sciatic nerve transection-induced degeneration.

     

Preconditioning with hyperbaric oxygen induces tolerance against oxidative injury via increased expression of heme oxygenase-1 in primary cultured spinal cord neurons

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) preconditioning can induce ischemic tolerance in the spinal cord. The effect can be attenuated by the administration of an oxygen free radical scavenger or by inhibition of antioxidant enzymes. However, the mechanism underlying HBO preconditioning of neurons against ischemic injury remains enigmatic. Therefore, in the present study primary cultured spinal cord neurons were treated with HBO and then subjected to a hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) insult. The results show that H(2)O(2) stimulation of the cultured spinal neurons caused severe DNA damage and decreased cell viability, and that these neurons were well protected against damage after a single exposure to HBO preconditioning (0.35 MPa, 98% O(2), 37 degrees C, 2 h). The protective effect started 4 h after pretreatment and lasted for at least 24 h. The cultured neurons after HBO treatment also exhibited increased heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression at both the protein and mRNA levels, which paralleled the protective effect of HBO. Treatment with tin-mesoporphyrin IX (SnMP), a specific HO-1 inhibitor, before HBO pretreatment abolished the HBO-induced adaptive protection noted in the cultured spinal neurons. In conclusion, HBO preconditioning can protect primary cultured spinal cord neurons against oxidative stress, and the upregulation of HO-1 expression plays an essential role in HBO induced preconditioning effect.     

Potentiating the regional effect of hyperbaric oxygenation in Raynaud's phenomenon]

A usual method of hyperbaric oxygenation is insufficiently effective at the late stages of Raynaud's phenomenon. A new "chamber-in-chamber" method of HBO permits essentially improving the results at these stages. Two versions of the new method should be used, each for its own indications. Intermittent pneumo-compression without rarefaction in the small chamber is good for "functional" Raynaud's phenomenon, whereas in "organic" Raynaud's phenomenon both intermittent compression and rarefaction are necessary.     

Effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on the survivability, mutagenesis and recombinogenesis of single-cell organisms

The hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) has been studied for its ability to induce the cell death and different genetic variations in normal and repair defective strains of bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium) and of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) strains with different ploidy. HBO is shown to induce an increase in the mutability of excision-repair defective strains and a decrease in the survival rate of error-prone repair defective strains of the procaryote. HBO is a weak recombinogen for yeast and induces no mutations of the haploid strain. The results obtained reflect doubt on the community of the mechanisms of radiation and HBO actions on the cell.     

早期介入高压氧提高寒冷应激下小鼠存活率并促进创面愈合的研究

暴露于寒冷环境下的皮肤开放性伤口是一种高度危险的战场创伤,威胁在室外作业的人员健康。紧急治疗中,高压氧(hyperbaric oxygen, HBO)治疗已经证实能够安全有效地促进皮肤伤口愈合。然而,HBO治疗的最佳干预时间说法仍然并不统一。使用冷应激下的小鼠背部皮肤全层缺损创面模型,比较了HBO治疗的3种干预策略,即分别为创伤后0、24和48 h介入HBO。结果显示,创后立即实施高压氧治疗(0-hHBO组)降低死亡率的效果最佳,小鼠死亡率为33%,而对照组死亡率为100%,且0-hHBO组创面愈合率第5天已达到85%。进一步的血常规和组织免疫化学检测显示,0-hHBO治疗组改善了血液指标,并发挥了一定的抗凋亡作用,这种作用尤其在表皮干细胞中更为明显。因此,研究结果将为HBO的临床应用提供重要的实验数据和线索。     

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen on uric acid and arachidonic acid: a metabolomic study in rats and humans

Hyperoxia is routinely used to prevent or treat hypoxemia and acute respiratory failure, and sustain aerobic life in military and commercial operations. However, breathing oxygen acutely at high pressures and for long durations is toxic. The present study aimed to investigate effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) exposure on plasma metabolite profiles. We applied a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry based metabolomic approach to analyze metabolites from plasma of both rats and humans under HBO conditions to explore the possible effects of HBO on the body. Uric acid (UA) and arachidonic acid concentrations were changed significantly in both rat and human plasma, and some precursor metabolites of UA in the UA pathway were also changed. For acute and chronic HBO exposures on plasma UA after exogenous UA injection, the results indicated exogenous administration of UA significantly increased plasma UA and ascorbic acid levels. However, these returned to normal levels 48 h after HBO exposure. These findings suggest HBO exposure can combat the harmful effects of increased UA from exposure to elevated partial pressure of oxygen. Furthermore, exogenous administration of UA not only does not disturb its metabolism, but also increases its anti-oxidative capacity (increase ascorbic acid). These findings suggest that the use of antioxidants might be necessary under HBO exposure, especially under extreme HBO exposure.     

Exposure to Hyperbaric Oxygen Intensified Vancomycin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats

It has been suggested that oxidative stress is a potential mechanism for vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) has been shown to be effective in treating renal toxicity that has been pharmacologically induced in animal models. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of HBO therapy on vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The study group comprised 36 Sprague Dawley male rats. We treated 30 with 500 mg/kg of intraperitoneal vancomycin once a day for 7 days. Half of these rats received a daily 1-hour treatment with HBO at 2 Atmospheres (ATM) on the same 7 days and formed the HBO+ group. The other 15 subjects received no HBO treatment (HBO- group). The remaining six rats served as the control group, three received HBO treatments alone and no treatment was administered to the other three rats. Laboratory results were obtained on day 8 and the intervention and control groups were compared. Rats in the HBO+ group gained less weight than the HBO- group (11.6 grams vs 22.6 grams; P = 0,008) and had significantly higher serum blood urea nitrogen (99.6 vs 52.6 mg/dL; P<0.001), serum creatinine (0.42 vs 0.16 mg/dL; P = 0.001) and magnesium (3.6 vs 3.1mg/dL; P = 0.014). The vancomycin blood levels were also higher in the HBO+ group (27.8 vs 6.7 μg/mL; P = 0.078). There were no pathological kidney changes in the control group. All the kidneys from the treated groups (vancomycin +HBO and vancomycin HBO-) showed moderate to severe histopathological changes with no statistical significance between them. This study demonstrated that exposure to hyperbaric oxygen intensified vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.     

HBO1 overexpression is important for hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common primary liver malignancy lacking effective molecularly-targeted therapies. HBO1 (lysine acetyltransferase 7/KAT7) is a member of MYST histone acetyltransferase family. Its expression and potential function in HCC are studied. We show that HBO1 mRNA and protein expression is elevated in human HCC tissues and HCC cells. HBO1 expression is however low in cancer-surrounding normal liver tissues and hepatocytes. In HepG2 and primary human HCC cells, shRNA-induced HBO1 silencing or CRISPR/Cas9-induced HBO1 knockout potently inhibited cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion, while provoking mitochondrial depolarization and apoptosis induction. Conversely, ectopic overexpression of HBO1 by a lentiviral construct augmented HCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. In vivo, xenografts-bearing HBO1-KO HCC cells grew significantly slower than xenografts with control HCC cells in severe combined immunodeficient mice. These results suggest HBO1 overexpression is important for HCC cell progression.Subject terms: Targeted therapies, Oncogenes