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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy-Induced Molecular and Pathway Changes in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury: A Proteomic
Zhuo Li1,2, Xiaomin Hou3, Xuehua Liu3
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Guangzhou Xinhua University, Guangzhou, China.
Abstract:
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has definitive therapeutic effects on spinal cord injury (SCI), but its mechanism of action is still unclear. Here, we've conducted a systemic proteomic analysis to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between SCI rats and HBOT + SCI rats. The function clustering analysis showed that the top enriched pathways of DEPs include oxygen transport activity, oxygen binding, and regulation of T cell proliferation. The results of functional and signal pathway analyses indicated that metabolic pathways, thermogenesis, LXR/RXR activation, acute phase response signaling, and the intrinsic prothrombin pathway in the SCI + HBOT group was higher than SCI group.
Insights
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) aids spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery by modulating protein expression. This study reveals HBOT influences oxygen transport, T cell regulation, and metabolic pathways in SCI rats.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Proteomics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition with limited treatment options.
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) shows therapeutic potential for SCI, but its underlying mechanisms require elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the proteomic changes induced by HBOT in a rat model of SCI.
- To identify key proteins and pathways affected by HBOT in SCI.
Main Methods:
- Systemic proteomic analysis was performed on rats with SCI and rats treated with HBOT post-SCI.
- Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified and subjected to functional and pathway enrichment analyses.
Main Results:
- HBOT significantly altered protein expression in SCI rats.
- Enriched pathways included oxygen transport, oxygen binding, and T cell proliferation regulation.
- Metabolic pathways, thermogenesis, LXR/RXR activation, acute phase response, and the prothrombin pathway were upregulated in the HBOT + SCI group.
Conclusions:
- HBOT exerts therapeutic effects on SCI through modulation of specific protein expression and signaling pathways.
- The findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of HBOT in SCI recovery, highlighting its impact on metabolic and inflammatory processes.
