Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Suppresses Apoptosis and Promotes Renal Tubular Regeneration After Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats
Background: Renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remains a major cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) in addition to I/R injury induced tissue inflammation, necrosis and apoptosis. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) is defined as a treatment in which a patient is intermittently exposed to 100% oxygen pressurized to a pressure above sea level 2.0 atmospheres absolute (ATA) 1.0 ATA 760 mmHg) It has been used in a number of medical conditions with a proven efficacy in a limited number of disorders. However, the effects of HBO therapy on apoptosis and proliferative activity after I/R injury have not been fully understood. Objectives: We studied the possible beneficial effects of HBO therapy on apoptosis and tubular cell regeneration after renal I/R injury in rats. Materials and Methods: Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into three groups: Sham (Sham operated rats) I/R (animals submitted to I/R) and I/R HBO (I/R rats exposed to HBO) Tubular cell apoptosis was confirmed by DNA laddering and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated uridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Cellular proliferation activity was determined using the anti Ki 67 antibody. Results: A significant decrease in apoptotic cells and increase in proliferative reaction were observed in the I/R HBO group compared to the I/R group. Conclusions: We demonstrated that HBO suppressed apoptosis, which caused inflammation after renal I/R, and promoted tubular cell regeneration. HBO has protective effects against AKI caused by renal I/R through the inhibition of apoptosis.
Nephro urology monthly