Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves local microenvironment after spinal cord injury

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Regenerative Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to significant neurological deficits.
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has shown promise in clinical settings for SCI.
• Mechanisms underlying HBOT's efficacy in SCI require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurological recovery following HBOT in a rat SCI model.
• To assess the impact of HBOT on apoptosis, aquaporin expression, and nerve fiber regeneration post-SCI.
• To evaluate the functional recovery of motor and sensory pathways after HBOT in SCI rats.

Main Methods:

• An acute spinal cord injury model was established in rats using a modified free-falling object method.
• Rats received HBOT (0.2 MPa, 45 minutes) four times daily for 3 days, starting 4 hours post-injury.
• Apoptosis, aquaporin 4/9 mRNA and protein expression, NF-200 positive nerve fibers, spinal cord cavity size, and evoked potentials were analyzed.

Main Results:

• HBOT significantly reduced apoptotic cells in the injured spinal cord tissue.
• Downregulation of aquaporin 4/9 mRNA and protein expression was observed in HBOT-treated rats.
• Increased NF-200 positive nerve fibers, smaller spinal cord cavities, and improved somatosensory and motor evoked potentials were noted.
• HBOT group showed significantly better hindlimb motor function recovery compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• HBOT effectively reduces apoptosis and downregulates aquaporin 4/9 expression in SCI.
• The therapy enhances the local microenvironment, promoting nerve regeneration and spinal cord repair.
• HBOT demonstrates significant neuroprotective and functional recovery benefits for spinal cord injury.