Effects of hyperbaric oxygen on oxidative stress and inflammatory response in the rats with pancreatitis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on inflammatory factors and oxidative stress levels in the rats with pancreatitis. Methods Eighty SD adult male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control group, the sham surgery group, the model group and the HBO oxygen group, with 20 rats in each group. Pancreatitis model was developed in the rats of the model and HBO groups. The rats in the sham surgery group were just anesthetized and abdomen was opened, and then the opened abdomen was sutured, while the animals in the control group were fed as routine. Following HBO treatment, pancreatic pathological scores of each group were evaluated, and the expression levels of inflammatory factors of IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β and TGF-α as well as oxidative stress factors of MPO, MDA, ROS in serum were detected. Results The pathological scores of the model group were significantly higher than those of the control group and the sham surgery group(6.58±1.51 vs. 0.45±0.05, 0.46±0.04)(all P<0.01). Swelling of the pancreatic tissue and infiltration of inflammatory cells could clearly been seen in the rats of the HBO group. As compared with the model group, ascetic fluid level was less, with less hemorrhagic spots and clear pancreatic marbling. Furthermore, pathological scores were significantly higher than those of the model group (P<0.01). As compared with the control group and the sham surgery group, the expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-10 in the model group considerably elevated, and stastical significance could be seen when comparisons were made between them(P<0.01), while the expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-10 in the HBO group were noticeably up-regulated in the model group, also with stastical significance(P<0.01). As compared with the control group and the sham surgery group, the expression levels of MDA, MPO and ROS in the model group were obviously up-regulated, also with stastical significance(P<0.01), while the expression levels of MDA, MPO and ROS in the HBO group were significantly down-regulated as compared with the model group, also with statistical significance(P<0.05). Conclusion HBO treatment could significantly reduce the inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress levels in the rats with pancreatitis, and reduce necrosis and hemorrhage of pancreatic acinus, thus effectively improving pancreatic symptoms of the rats. Key words: Pancreatitis; Rat; Hyperbaric oxygen; Inflammatory response; Oxidative stress