Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Attenuates Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Regenerative Medicine
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a severe condition with high mortality rates.
• Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common cause of AKI.
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO₂) improves tissue oxygenation and shows promise in hypoxic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of HBO₂ in mitigating renal I/R injury.
• To evaluate HBO₂'s impact on renal function and histopathology in a rat model.

Main Methods:

• Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into Control, I/R, and I/R + HBO₂ groups.
• Renal I/R injury was induced via 30-minute bilateral renal pedicle occlusion.
• HBO₂ was administered at 1.6 ATA for 90 minutes at 2 and 22 hours post-reperfusion.
• Renal function, histopathology, and necroptosis markers were assessed.

Main Results:

• The I/R group exhibited significantly elevated serum creatinine and BUN levels.
• HBO₂ treatment significantly reduced BUN and creatinine levels compared to the I/R group.
• Histological analysis showed HBO₂ improved renal structure and reduced neutrophil infiltration and necroptosis markers.

Conclusions:

• HBO₂ effectively mitigates renal I/R injury by reducing inflammation and necroptosis.
• HBO₂ demonstrates potential as a therapeutic strategy for AKI.
• Further clinical studies are warranted to confirm HBO₂'s efficacy in human patients.