Beneficial Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Liver Regeneration after 90% Hepatectomy in Rats

Abstract

Background/Aims: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been reported to augment oxygen delivery to ischemic tissues and improve the liver dysfunction in clinical cases. HBOT was performed after 90% hepatectomy in rats to determine its effect on the regeneration of remnant liver. Methods: After 90% hepatectomy was performed in 8-week-old male Wistar rats, the animals were subdivided into an HBOT (2 atm abs., 80% O₂, 1 h/day, 3 days) group and a non-HBOT group. Members of both groups were sacrificed, usually every 4 h until a maximum of 50 h after hepatectomy, and the liver regeneration rate, the proportion of PCNA-positive cells and the ATP volume in the remnant tissues were examined. Results: In the HBOT group, the liver regeneration rate at 36 h and 50 h after operation and the proportion of PCNA positive cells at 8 h was significantly increased compared with the non-HBOT group. The ATP volume in the remnant livers in the HBOT group was also significantly increased at 12 h. Conclusion: HBOT augmented liver regeneration after hepatectomy by stabilization of energy metabolism induced by oxygen delivery in rats.

Resultados iniciais da oxigenoterapia hiperbárica empacientes em lista de espera para o transplante hepático

“…Although some studies emphasize the increased speed of liver regeneration and improvement of liver function in severe situations, including hepatic artery thrombosis after transplantation, no significant alterations were seen 19 . Laboratory parameters and prognostic indices showed no significant improvement, contrary to what some authors say about the improvement of levels of some enzymes after use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy 8,14,15,18 . Also, it was not found here data changing or improving the MELD and the Child significantly.…”

“…This feature has made to develop studies on the control of cell growth, as treatment of liver failure 4,11 . Among the noninvasive treatment options, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (OXTH) has been one of the most promising, and from year 1990 very well investigated 6,8,14,15,18,19 . Oxygen therapy is the inhalation of 100% oxygen at a pressure of two to three atmospheres, in special chambers, so called hyperbaric chambers 18 .…”

Hyperbaric oxygen induces vascular endothelial growth factor and reduces liver injury in regenerating rat liver after partial hepatectomy

“…Because it was reported that the regenerating liver required increased levels of energy charge [28], and HBO treatment improved energy metabolism after PH [24], we then analyzed the hepatic ATP levels (Fig. 2).…”

“…All animals were allowed free access to standard chow and water after the operation. Rats were sacrificed at various time points (24,48,72, and 96 h after PH), by puncture of the aorta and exsanguination under ether anesthesia. Liver samples were obtained, some for histological analysis and some were frozen and stored at À80°C.…”

“…Although it has been demonstrated that HBO treatment has several effects on regenerating liver [23,24], there is no in vivo evidence that intrahepatic angiogenesis occurs after PH. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether HBO treatment correlates with angiogenesis and has protective effects on regenerating rat liver after PH.…”