An experimental novel study: hyperbaric oxygen treatment on reduction of epidural fibrosis via down-regulation of collagen deposition, IL-6, and TGF-β1.

Abstract

To investigate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO) on prevention of epidural fibrosis in laminectomy rats. A controlled, double-blinded study was performed in sixty healthy adult Wistar rats, mean weight 250g. L1-L2 levels laminectomy were performed. Randomly, all rats were divided into three groups, with 20 in each group: (1) short-term HBO treatment group; (2) long-term HBO treatment (LHBO) group; and (3) Sham group (laminectomy without treatment). Four weeks post-operation, all rats were killed. The Rydell classification, hydroxyproline content, vimentin cells density, capillary density, and inflammatory factors expression were evaluated. The histological evaluation showed less epidural scar adhesions in LHBO group than other two groups. The hydroxyproline content, Rydell score, vimentin cells density, capillary density, and inflammatory factors expression all suggested better results in LHBO group than other two groups. It was concluded that HBO treatment might be beneficial in inhibiting collagen deposition and inflammatory activity and prevent epidural scar adhesion in laminectomy rat and, therefore, shows potential for clinical use.