OBJECTIVE:To investigate the therapeutic roles of hyperbaric oxygen exposure on high-altitude pulmonary edema and to determine whether aquaporin-1 and aquaporin-5 were involved in the pathogenesis of HAPE in rats.METHODS:Rats were divided into 5 groups: The control group, the HAPE group (HAPE model), the HBO group (hyperbaric oxygen exposure), the NBO group (normobaric oxygen exposure), and the NA group (normal air exposure). Western blot and real-time PCR were used to analyze the pulmonary expressions of AQP1 and AQP5. The wet-to-dry (W/D) weight ratio and the morphology of the lung were also examined.RESULTS:The lung W/D weight ratio in the HAPE group was increased compared with the control group. The injury score in the HBO group was noticeably lower than that in the control group. The mRNA and proteins expressions of AQP1 and AQP5 were significantly downregulated in the HAPE group.CONCLUSIONS:Oxygen exposure alleviated high-altitude hypobaric hypoxia-induced lung injury in rats. Additionally, HBO therapy had significant advantage on interstitial HAPE.

Objective To explore the therapeutic effects of comprehensive hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) on cerebral hemorrhage patients in vegetative state (VS) and influential factors on the prognosis of cerebral hemorrhage.Methods Seventy-five cerebral hemorrhage patients who were admitted into the Department of Hyperbaric Oxygen,Beijing Chaoyang Hospital and conformed to the criteria of vegetative state were enrolled for the study.All the patients received 3 to 6 courses of comprehensive HBO therapy and completed 6-month medical follow-ups.Then,improvement of cognition was evaluated before comprehensive HBO therapy,at the 3-month and 6-month medical follow-ups respectively by using the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R).Results At the 3-month and 6-month medical follow-ups,the CRS-R scores were considerably improved as compared with those before treatment,and statistical significance could be seen when comparisons were made between the groups (P ＜ 0.01).At the 6-month follow-up,22 patients regained consciousness,accounting for (29.3％),and 53 patients still had conscious disorder,accounting for 70.7％.With regard to age,gender,causes of cerebral hemorrhage,sites of cerebral hemorrhage,ventricular hemorrhage and courses of HBO therapy,no statistical significance could be noticed in the patients who recovered consciousness at the 6-month medical follow-up,when compared with those who still had conscious disorder(P ＞0.05).As compared with those who had conscious disorder,the CRS-R scores of the patients in the conscious recovery group before treatment were higher.HBO At the 6-month follow-up,the conscious recovery rate of the patients with the amount of hemorrhage equal or lower than 45 ml (40.5％) was obviously higher than that of the patients with the amount of hemorrhage higher than 45 ml (18.4％),and statistical significance could be noted when comparisons were made between them (P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01).Logistic regression analysis indicated that the amount of hemorrhage (＞ 45 ml/≤45 ml,OR =8.944,P =0.049),the time of comprehensive HBO therapy (OR =1.182,P =0.006),the CRS-R scores before treatment (OR =0.040,P =0.000) were related with the prognosis of the patients.Conclusion In the treatment of cerebral hemorrhage patients in vegetative state,the amount of hemorrhage,the time of comprehensive HBO therapy and the CRS-R scores before treatment were all influential factors that affected the prognosis of the patients.For this reason,comprehensive HBO therapy should be administered as early as possible.

Although there are reports of the beneficial effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy in experimental settings, there are few clinical trials of HBO therapy for acute spinal cord injury (SCI). We investigated the effect of HBO in acute SCI by measuring plasma high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kappa B) levels, and by monitoring changes in electromyogram F-persistence (the percentage of discernible F-waves) and F-chronodispersion (the difference between minimal and maximal latency). We enrolled 79 acute SCI patients and randomly divided them into control (conventional treatment) and the treatment (conventional treatment plus HBO therapy) groups. Plasma was collected before treatment and after treatment on 1st, 3rd, 7th, 10th and 30th day for the measurement of HMGB1 and NF-kappa B. Electromyogram F-waves were detected before therapy and after therapy on the 10th and 30th days. Clinical profiles and neurological outcomes were evaluated using American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) and Frankel Grade scores. Compared to the control group, HBO therapy down-regulated HMGB1 and NF-kappa B expression in patients with acute SCI on days 3, 7, 10 and 30 (p < 0.05). F-wave chronodispersion decreased at days 10 and 30 (p < 0.01) following HBO. ASIA and Frankel Grade motor/pain scores in the treatment group were significantly improved on day 30 (p < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between plasma NF-kappa B at day 7 and F-wave dispersion at day 30 (r = 0.76, p = 0.00). In summary, HBO therapy regulated the inflammatory reaction in secondary SCI by decreasing plasma HMGB1/NF-kappa B levels and reducing the dispersion of electromyogram F-waves of the lower limbs, thereby promoting neurological function recovery.

This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on acute spinal cord injury (SCI) by measuring the in vivo diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) and observing diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) of fiber bundle morphology. The rats were randomly divided into sham-operated (SH), SCI, and SCI and hyperbaric oxygen treatment (SCI + HBO) groups (n = 6 in each group). The Basso-Bettie-Bresnahan (BBB) score was used to evaluate motor function recovery, and DTI was performed on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 after surgery. BBB scores and FA values decreased significantly after SCI, while the two values significantly improved in the SCI + HBO group compared with the SCI group on days 7, 14, and 21. ADC increased significantly on days 14 and 21 postoperatively in the SCI group compared with the SH group but did not significantly differ between the SCI and SCI + HBO groups at any time point. BBB scores had the same variation trend with ADC values and FA values in all three groups. In the SH group, DTT showed a well-organized spinal cord, but the spinal cord showed interruptions at sites of injury after SCI. In conclusion, HBO promotes the recovery of neuronal function after SCI. Parameters of DTI, especially FA, can quantitatively evaluate the efficacy of HBO treatment in SCI, while DTT enables the visualization of the fiber tracking of spinal cord tracts.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with underlying disease in sudden deafness.Method:One hundred and seventy-three inpatients suffered from sudden deafness were included in this study. We analyzed the underlying disease of these patients retrospectively.Result:The underlying disease of sudden deafness patients mainly include atherosclerosis risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipemia, hyperhomocystinemia, hyperuricemia) 79.8%, cervical vertebra disease 26.6%, ear disease 19.1%, thyroid disease 13.9%.Conclusion:The characteristics of underlying disease may plays a crucial role in pathogenesis and treatment in sudden deafness patients.

Objective To observe changes in hepatic microcirculation perfusion after acute carbon monoxide poisoning and effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on hepatic microcirculation by using laser Doppler blood perfusion imager.Methods Ninety Wistar rats were randomly divided into 9 groups:the control group,the CO exposure group which was subdivided into the CO exposure day 1,3,7 and 12 groups (or the CO day 1 group,the CO day 3 group,the CO day 7 group and the CO day 12 group),the CO exposure + HBO group which was subdivided into CO exposure + HBO therapy day 1,3,7 and 12 groups (or the HBO day 1 group,HBO day 3 group,HBO day 7 group and HBO day 12 group).Levels of hepatic and intestinal mucosa microcirculation perfusion were detected by using laser blood perfusion imager.Results In the control group,the CO day 1 group and the HBO day 1 group,the level of hepatic microcirculation perfusion was significantly lower than that of intestinal mucosa microcirculation perfusion.Statistical significance could be seen when comparisons were made between them (P ＜ 0.05),however,changes of the two were identical.The level of hepatic microcirculation perfusion in the CO day 1 group was obviously increased,as compared with those of the HBO day 1,3,7 and 12 groups(P ＜0.05).However,there was no statistical significance when comparisons were made between the CO day 12 group and the HBO day 12 group(P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Laser Doppler blood perfusion imager could detect changes in the level of hepatic microcirculation perfusion.Acute carbon monoxide poisoning could obviously decrease the level of hepatic microcirculation perfusion,but HBO treatment could help to improve hepatic microcirculation disturbance.

Hyperbaric oxygen medicine, as a new branch of medicine, has been applied in clinical fields. At present, there are only a few colleges and universities with hyperbaric oxygen professional graduate student learning, there is still a lack of standardized teaching syllabus, teaching materials and teaching model. In order to cultivate qualified hyperbaric oxygen department personnel, this paper makes a preliminary study on the clinical teaching of hyperbaric oxygen specialty graduate students. The first is to graduate medical system and related departments rotation study, secondly in the Department of hyperbaric oxygen practice stage were cultured from theoretical knowledge, professional and technical skill of clinical practice, and the use of multimedia teaching method and case teaching to make students more fully and effectively grasp the knowledge, training and improve students' scientific research ability and the level of scientific research, strengthen the humanistic quality training, training and management ability. Strengthening standardized training, focusing on the cultivation of the comprehensive quality of clinical and scientific thinking is an effective way to improve the ability of hyperbaric oxygen graduate students.

Objective To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO)combined with herbal "scorpion seven" on the expression levels of stromal cell-derived factor-1/chemokine receptor-4 (SDF1/ CXCR4) in the plasma of the patients with acute spinal cord injury (ASCI).Methods Sixty patients with acute incomplete spinal cord injury were chosen for the study,and were divided into the control group (n =30)which was treated with conventional drug therapy plus HBO and the treatment group (n =30) which received herbal " scorpion seven" treatment in addition to conventional drug therapy plus HBO therapy.Close observations were made on expression levels of SDF1/CXCR4 receptors in plasma at the same time points before therapy,and at day 10,day 30,day 60 and day 90.Results As compared with those of the patients of the control group,the expression levels of SDF1/CXCR4 and VEGF in the plasma of the patients with ASCI were significantly increased,at day 10,day 30,day 60 and day 90 after treatment,and statistical significance could be seen when comparisons were made between the 2 groups (P ＜0.05).Peak value appeared at day 10,and the expression levels of SDF1/CXCR4 and VEGF at day 90 after treatment were still higher than the baseline of initial injury.Conclusions HBO combined with herbal "scorpion seven" could promote the recovery of vascular endothelial function in the patients with ASCI through the access of increasing the levels of SDF1/ CXCR4 and VEGF in peripheral blood.

Objective To analyze the effects and association of comprehensive HBO therapy on the brainstem auditory evoked potential in unconscious patients after cardiopulmonary resuscitation,and to provide evidence for the prognosis of such patients.Methods A retrospective analysis was made on the effects of comprehensive HBO therapy after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in 32 unconscious patients admitted into our department from 2005 to 2015.Brainstem auditory evoked potential was performed and therapeutic effects were analyzed,and the association between BAEP changes and the prognosis were also evaluated.Results The rate of regaining consciousness was 25.0% in 32 patients.The effects of HBO therapy in the non-Cardiogenic patients were obviously superior to those of the cardiogenic patients.The prognosis in the patients with BAEP grade I was significantly better than those patients with brainstem auditons evoked potential(BAEP),grade II and III.Conclusions The BAEP grading was of important value for the prognosis of the patients with unconsciousness after cardiopulmonary resuscitation,and it was worth further extension in clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS) apoptosis after acute spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats,through detecting changes in the expressions of such related factor as ERS,and to further explore the mechanism of HBO biologically in the treatment of SCI.Methods The animals were randomly divided into 3 groups:the sham surgery group,the SCI group and the HBO group,each consisting of 24 rats.And each experimental group was further divided into 4 subgroups,in accordance with 1,3,7,and 14-day time-points after injury.the SCI animal model was established by using modified Allen's method,and HBO therapy was implemented accordingly.The motion of hinder limb was evaluated by using the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score system at different time points after surgery.The injured spinal cord tissues were collected for TUNEL (TDT-mediated UTP nick-end labeling) for observation on the apoptosis of neural cells.The expressions of such ERS-related factors as glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNK) were detected by immunohistochemistry.The expression of caspases-3 was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results At day 7 and 14 after surgery,the BBB scores of the HBO group were significantly higher than those of the SCI group,and statistical significance could be noted,when comparisons were made between them(P ＜0.01).At day 3 and 7 after surgery,TUNEL positive cell rate of the HBO group was significantly higher than that of the SCI group,with statistical significance(P ＜0.05).At day 3 after surgery,the GRP78 positive cell counts of the HBO group were significantly higher than those of the SCI group,also with statistical significance(P ＜ 0.05).At day 3 and 7 after surgery,the JNK positive cell counts and the expression levels of caspase-3 of the HBO group were significantly lower than those of the SCI group,also with statistical significance(P ＜ 0.05,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The research results indicated that HBO therapy could elevate significantly the level of GRP78 following injury of the spinal cord,reduce the expression levels of JNK and caspase-3,alleviate ERS,decrease apoptosis of neural cells and enhance the scores of hinder limbs motor function of the SCI rats,thus promoting the recovery of the neurological function of the rats.

Objective To investigate the capacity of comprehensive HBO therapy in the recovery of consciousness and daily life activity of the patients following traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods There were 82 patients who conformed to the standards of minimal consciousness,of whom 30 completed 3 courses of HBO therapy,28 completed 6 courses of HBO therapy,24 just received routine treatment.The patients in all groups received both drug therapy and rehabilitation treatment.On the basis of routine treatment,the patients in different HBO groups received various courses of HBO therapy.At week 12 and 24,the consciousness and daily life activity of the patients were evaluated by using coma recovery scale-revised (CRS-R)and modified Barthel index (MBI).Results As compared with those before treatment,statistical significance could be seen in the scores of CRS-R and MBI in the 2 HBO groups,following 12 and 24 weeks of HBO therapy respectively(P <0.01).At week 12 and 24 after HBO therapy,the scores of CRS-R and MBI in the 2 HBO groups were all higher than those of the routine treatment group,and statistical significance could be noted,when comparisons were made between them(P <0.05 or P <0.01).At week 24,the scores of CRS-R and MBI in the 6-course HBO group were higher than those in the 3-Course HBO group,and statistical significance could be seen,when comparisons were made between them (P <0.05 ). Conclusions HBO therapy could improve the consciousness and daily life activity of the patients with traumatic brain injury.Twenty-four-week follow-ups indicated that the therapeutic effects of 6-Course HBO therapy were obviously better than those of the 3-Course HBO therapy.For this reason,HBO therapy should not be terminated too early.

The inflammatory response is an important source of secondary damage to neuronal tissue in the spinal cord following spinal cord injury (SCI). Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy reduces inflammation and promotes the restoration of locomotor function following SCI, however, the mechanisms underlying this effect remain to be determined. The aim of the current study was to investigate the mechanisms by which HBO therapy promotes recovery in a rat model of SCI by measuring expression levels of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and monocyte chemoattractant protein‑1 (MCP‑1) in spinal cord tissue. Experimental animals (n=90) were divided into three groups: Sham‑operated (SH), SCI (T‑10 laminectomy) and SCI + HBO. Each group was further divided into five subgroups (n=6) that were examined at 12 h, and at 1, 3, 7 and 14 days post‑injury. Recovery of locomotor function was evaluated using the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scoring system. Neutrophil infiltration was analyzed using myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity assays. The expression of RAGE and MCP‑1 was measured by immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. RAGE and MCP‑1 expression and MPO activity were higher in the SCI groups than in the SH groups at each time point. HBO therapy reduced RAGE and MCP‑1 expression and MPO activity compared with untreated, injured animals at early post‑injury stages. In addition, HBO therapy improved BBB scores at post‑operative day 7 and 14. HBO therapy was, therefore, demonstrated to relieve secondary inflammatory responses, potentially by inhibiting the expression of RAGE and MCP‑1, resulting in significant recovery of locomotor function. The results of the present study may, therefore, be useful in improving the clinical application of HBO therapy for patients with SCI.

高压氧医学是近年来新兴的医学学科,尤其对急性一氧化碳中毒、颅脑损伤、急性脑血管病、减压病、气栓症等许多疾病的治疗中发挥了非常重要的治疗作用.十几年来高压氧教学内容不断丰富,理论与实践相结合,成为医学生学习过程中的重要内容.高压氧治疗可使机体血中含氧量增加、血氧溶解度提高、血氧弥散距离增大、改善机体缺氧状态.高压氧还可使血管收缩、减轻水肿及渗出、减轻炎性损伤.此外,高压氧还有较强的抗菌作用.因而高压氧医学近年来在临床年上来越来越受到重视,特别是神经损伤等领域.本文从课程设置、病案书写、实践操作等方面阐述了高压氧医学教学的规范化措施,从临床与实践的角度阐释教学规范化的重要性,旨在高压氧医学教学水平的进一步提高及促进高压氧医学学术的进一步发展.

Objective To investigate the effects of HBO therapy on the changes in F wave of electromyogram(EMG) in patients with spinal cord injury.Methods Seventy-nine cases of acute spinal cord injury were divided into the control group (conventional treatment) (38 cases) and the treatment group (conventional treatment + HBO therapy) (41 cases) in accordance with different treatment methods.The control group was treated simply with hormones,dehydrating agents and nerve trophic agents,while the HBO group was given HBO therapy in addition to conventional treatment.Changes in F wave extraction and dispersion rates in the lower limbs of the two groups were detected both before therapy and 10 and 30 days respectively after therapy.Total effective rates 30 days after therapy were evaluated for the 2 groups.Results As compared with those before treatment,the F wave extraction rates of the lower limbs in the patients of both groups were all increased 10 and 30 days after treatment,while dispersion rates were decreased,with statistical significance(P＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01).As compared with those rates of the control group at the same time points,F wave extraction rates for the HBO group at day 10 and day 30 were obviously higher,while dispersion rates were lower,also with statistical significance(P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01).After 30 days of treatment,total effective rate for the HBO group was 85.7％,which was obviously higher than that of the control (70.0％),with statistical significance (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions HBO therapy could induce changes in F wave and hasten recovery of the patients with acute spinal cord injury.

Objective To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen ( HBO ) combined with herbal“scorpion seven” on the ASIA pain and motion scores and Frankel classification scores in the patients with acute spinal cord injury ( ASCI ) , and also to evaluate the clinical effects of the treatment .Methods Sixty patients with incomplete spinal cord injury were chosen for our study , and were divided into the control group (treated with conventional therapy +HBO) and the treatment group (treated with scorpion seven +HBO). At the same time points of the 10th, 30 th, 60 th days and the third month , close observations were made on the scores of ASIA pain and motion scores and Frankel classification scores , and evaluations were also made on the total effective rate .Results Following 30, 60 and 90 days of treatment , significant differences could be seen in the Asia pain scores in the treatment group , as compared with those of the control group (P<0.05). There were also significant differences in ASIA motion scores after 30, 60 and 90 days of treatment, when comparisons were made between the 2 groups (P<0.01).There were also significant differences in Frankel total muscle scores after 30, 60 and 90 days of treatment(P<0.05), and significant differences could be noted in Frankel total muscle scores at day 10 (P<0.01).Significant differences could be found in Frankel sensory scores in the treatment group, following 30 and 60 days of treatment(P<0.05), and significant differences could also be noticed in Frankel sensory scores at day 10 and day 90(P<0.01).Total effective rate for the treatment group was 86.7%.Conclusions HBO combined with herbal "scorpion seven"could significantly improve effective rate of the treatment , promote neurological function recovery clinically , and it would provide clinical evidence for the treatment of acute spinal cord injury by combining traditional herbal medicine with Western medicine .

Objective To investigate the knowledge of popular science concerning prevention and treatment of diabetic foot by hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) among the Beijing inhabitants and changes both before and after health education, so as to analyze the necessity and efficacy of popular science education.Methods A survey on the knowledge of popular science concerning prevention and treatment of diabetic foot by HBO among the Beijing inhabitants, who either took lessons on health or sought medical consultations, was conducted by using self-developed questionnaire.Results The knowledge of popular science concerning prevention and treatment of diabetic foot by HBO among the Beijing inhabitants was on the whole low.Their knowledge on diabetic foot was the best, then, their knowledge on early manifestations, common inducing factors, main risks,foot care of diabetic foot, and hyperbaric oxygen came the second, and their knowledge on the prevention and treatment of diabetic foot by HBO came the last.After health education, their knowledge on early manifestations, common inducing factors, main risks, foot care of diabetic foot, hyperbaric oxygen and the knowledge on the prevention and treatment of diabetic foot by HBO were all greatly improved, and significant differences could be noted, when comparisons were made between pre-education and post-education (P ＜0.05).Relatively speaking, their knowledge on common inducing factors and the prevention and treatment of diabetic foot by HBO were improved most prominently.After health education, significant changes occurred in the attention on the prevention and treatment of diabetic foot by HBO among the inhabitants.The most popular health education methods in the opinion of the inhabitants were face-to-face health consultation, watching television programs, big-audience health lessons, reading brochures, and so on, and the most popular form of education was general health education offered by comprehensive hospitals.Conclusions General health education on the prevention and treatment of diabetic foot by HBO was absolutely necessary for the Beijing residents, and such high quality education should be conducted over and over again.

Objective To explore the mechanism of hyperbaric oxygen ( HBO) in the enhancement of neurological function recovery in the rats following spinal cord injury , through the observation of the effects of HBO on the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and connexin 43 (CX43) in the injured spinal cord tissue .Methods One hundred and sixty healthy adult SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:the spinal cord injury group(or the SCI group), the SCI+HBO group, the sham surgery group (or the control group) and the sham surgery +HBO group.In the SCI group, the spinal cord injury model was developed by using the modified Allen ’ s method and MASCIS spinal cord injury impactor .For the SCI+HBO group, the animals received HBO therapy following development of the SCI model .In the control group , the vertebral lamina in T10 was surgically opened , but without SCI .In the sham surgery +HBO group, the animals also received HBO therapy after laminotomy .The animals of the 4 groups were further subdivided at random into the 1d, 3d, 7d and 14d subgroups, each consisting of 10.The motor function of the hinder limb was evaluated by Basso Beattie Bresnahan ( BBB) scores at different time points after injury .The injured tissue of the spinal cord was collected and then , the expressions of VEGF and CX 43 were detected with immunohistochemistry . Results The BBB scores of the SCI and SCI +HBO groups at various time points after injury were significantly lower than those of the sham surgery group and the sham surgery +HBO group (P<0.01).Seven and 14 days after surgery, the BBB scores of the SCI +HBO group(7 d:4.67 ±1.97, 14 d:10.83 ±2.23) were significant higher than those of the SCI group (7 d:1.83 ±0.75, 14 d:6.67 ±2.16) (P<0.05).When compared with those of the sham surgery group and the sham surgery +HBO group , the expression levels of VEGF and CX 43 in the spinal cord for the SCI group and the SCI +HBO group were significantly increased at various time points (P<0.01).The expression of VEGF in the SCI +HBO group (3 d:81.16 ±10.37, 7 d:96.00 ±8.50, 14 d:84.67 ±8.39)was significantly higher than that of the SCI group (3 d:71.68 ±8.45, 7 d:81.92 ± 9.63, 14 d:73.30 ±7.96), and statistical significance could be noted , when comparisons were made between the 2 groups(P<0.05).The expression level of CX43 in the spinal cord of the SCI +HBO group (3 d:72.46 ±7.52, 7 d:67.10 ±8.06) was significantly lower than that of the SCI group (3 d:83.65 ±8.70, 7 d:77.64 ±7.78), and statistical significance could be seen , when comparisons were made between them (P<0.05).However, the expression level of CX43 at d 14 after surgery in the spinal cord of the SCI +HBO group (74.81 ±10.05 ) was significantly higher than that of the SCI group ( 66.74 ±8.30 ) ( P <0.05 ). Conclusions HBO could obviously improve the neurological recovery of the hinder limb of the SCI rat , through enhancing the expression levels of VEGF and CX 43 following injury of the spinal cord.

To investigate whether hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) intervention affects the expressions of inflammatory cytokines, HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB, and arrests secondary spinal cord injury (SCI).One hundred and twenty healthy adult SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham, sham + HBO, SCI, and SCI + HBO. Each group was then randomly divided into five subgroups of 6 rats each according to the following time points: 1, 2, 3, 7, and 14 d post injury. Functional recovery of the hindlimb was assessed by Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scores at different time points after SCI. The expression of HMGB1, TLR4, and NF-κB in the spinal cord tissue was determined by fluorescence quantitative PCR, western blot, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA.The gene expressions of TLR4, HMGB1, and NF-κB (P < 0.01) and the TLR4 protein expression were significantly high after SCI. HBO intervention significantly decreased all the four parameters at 3, 7, and 14 d post injury (P < 0.05). A significant positive correlation (P < 0.01) was observed between the following: HMGB1 mRNA, TLR4 mRNA and TLR4 protein; HMGB1 mRNA and NF-κB mRNA; and TLR4 protein and NF-κB mRNA. BBB score was negatively correlated with HMGB1, TLR4 protein and NF-κB levels. HBO intervention significantly improved the BBB scores at 7 and 14 d post injury (P < 0.05).Hyperbaric oxygen reduced the expressions of HMGB1, TLR4, and NF-κB and reduced secondary SCI as measured using BBB scores.

Objective To observe the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on the expression levels of inhibitory kappa B kinase ( IKKβ) in the rat with spinal cord injury ( SCI ) , and also to investigate the mechanisms that might be involved in its effect on the regulation of the signal pathway of IKK -NF-κB, as well as inflammatory reaction and apoptosis of cells following spinal cord injury .Methods One hundred and eight healthy adult SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: the sham surgery group ( or the SS group ) , the spinal cord injury group (or simply the SCI group), and the SCI +HBO group.Then, each group was further subdivided into 6 subgroups, i.e.the 12 h after injury subgroup (or the 12 h subgroup), the 1 day after injury subgroup (or the 1 d subgroup), the 2 d subgroup, the 3 d subgroup, the 7 d subgroup and the 14 d subgroup, each consisting of 6.Functional recovery of the hind limb was assessed by Basso , Beattie and Bresnahan ( BBB) scores at different time points after the development of the SCI model .The expression levels of IKKβand mRNA in the spinal cord were detected by fluorescent RT-PCR and Western blot .Results The expression levels of IKKβin the damaged tissues were all significantly increased except at hour 12 after injury, and statistical significance could be seen , as compared with those of the SH group (P<0.01), for example on day 1, the SCI group:0.250 ±0.043;the SCI+HBO group:0.135 ±0.023; the SH group:0.075 ±0.006.The expression levels of IKKβmRNA were significantly increased at hour 12, day 1, day 2 and day 3 (P<0.01 or P<0.05)(the SCI group:1.868 ±1.019,3.435 ±2.282,4.23 ±3.070,2.777 ±1.579;the SH group:0.753 ±0.275, 0.830 ±0.342,0.895 ±0.181,0.958 ±0.528).There were no obvious differences in its expression levels, when comparisons were made between the SH group and the SCI group (P >0.05).After HBO exposure , the expression levels of IKKβin the spinal cord at various time points were all significantly decreased as compared with those of the SCI group , and statistical significance could be noticed , when comparisons were made between them (P<0.01) .As compared with the SCI group, the expression levels of IKKβmRNA at hour 12 for the HBO group was significantly lower , with statistical significance ( P <0.01 ); its expression levels at day 1, day 3 and day 7 were also lower than those of the SCI group , also with statistical significance (P<0.05);there was no statistical significance in the expression levels of IKK βmRNA at day 2 and day 14, when comparisons were made between the 2 groups (P<0.05) .When compared with those of the SH group , the BBB scores at day 7 and day 14 for the HBO group were improved , and statistical significance could also be noted, when comparisons were made between the 2 groups ( P <0.05).Conclusions After spinal cord injury, the expression levels of IKKβand IKKβmRNA were all increased .HBO could possibly alleviate inflammatory reaction and apoptosis of cells after injury , through the down -regulation of IKKβand the regulation of signal pathway of IKK-NF-κB.

The clinical application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in spinal cord injury (SCI) has been reported, however the mechanism underlying its therapeutic effects remains to be elucidated. In the present study, SCI was modeled in male Sprague‑Dawley rats. A total of 120 rats were randomly divided into four groups: Sham‑operated group (SH); sham‑operated and hyperbaric oxygen group (SH+HBO); spinal cord injury group (SCI) and spinal cord injury and hyperbaric oxygen treatment group (SCI+HBO). The rats in each group were randomly divided into five smaller groups (12 h, 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after surgery). The mRNA and protein expression levels of NACHT domain‑, leucine‑rich‑repeat‑ and pyrin domain‑containing protein 3 (NALP3) inflammasome, including NALP3, adaptor molecule apoptosis‑associated speck‑like protein (ASC) and caspase‑1 were determined at several time points following injury. The results of the present study demonstrated that HBOT compromised the mRNA and protein expression levels of NALP3, ASC and caspase‑1 in the SCI model rats and HBOT mitigated SCI‑induced interleukin 1β release in the injured spinal cord tissue. It was concluded that HBOT is an effective approach, which can prevent against spinal cord injury, likely by inactivating NALP3 inflammasome.