Hyperbaric oxygen and treadmill exercise partially prevented bone loss and bone microarchitecture deterioration in...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Bone Biology

Background:

• Treadmill exercise (EX) shows benefits for osteoporosis.
• Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) influences osteoblast and osteoclast formation in vitro.
• The combined effects of HBO and EX on osteoporosis require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and treadmill exercise (EX) on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats.
• To evaluate the combined impact of HBO and EX on bone health markers.
• To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects.

Main Methods:

• Ovariectomized rats were divided into five groups: control, ovariectomy, ovariectomy + EX, ovariectomy + HBO, and ovariectomy + HBO + EX.
• Treatments included daily HBO exposure (203 kPa, 85-90% O₂, 90 min) and treadmill exercise (20 m/min, 40 min/day, 5° slope).
• Both treatments were administered five days a week for 12 weeks.

Main Results:

• HBO, EX, and combined treatments significantly increased osteoblast-related gene expression and PGC-1α.
• All treatments significantly inhibited osteoclast-related mRNA (RANKL) and bone resorption marker CTX-I.
• Exercise and combined treatments elevated serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and sclerostin expression.

Conclusions:

• HBO, EX, and their combination ameliorated bone microarchitecture deterioration and ovariectomy-induced bone loss.
• The observed bone protective effects are potentially linked to increased SOD activity and PGC-1α upregulation.
• These findings suggest potential therapeutic strategies for osteoporosis using HBO and exercise.