Effects of hyperbaric oxygen on the levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 in patients with acute cerebral infarction and analysis of its therapeutic effects

Abstract

Objective To observe effects of HBO on the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with acute cerebral infarction and also to analyze its therapeutic effects.Methods Eighty-three patients with acute cerebral infarction were randomly divided into the control group (43 cases) and the HBO group (40 cases).Patients in the control group were treated with dehydration and routine drugs,such as atorvastatin,aspirin,ozagrel and citicoline,while patients in the HBO group received conventional treatment combined with HBO therapy for a total of 10 sessions.The levels of CRP and IL-6 were detected and the scores of National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Barthel Index (BI) were assessed both before and after treatment.The levels of CRP and IL-6 were respectively detected by turbidimetric immunoassay and ELISA.BI scores were evaluated in the clinical follow-ups,6 months after cerebral infarction.Results Before treatment,CRP and IL-6 of the patients in both groups showed no statistical difference (P ＞ 0.05).Scores of NIHSS were (23.4 ± 5.28,24.8 ± 4.92) respectively,and scores of BI were (30.7 ± 10.14,31.1 ± 11.45) respectively,without statistical significance (P ＞ 0.05).After treatment,levels of CRP and IL-6 for the 2 groups all decreased significantly,when compared with those before treatment (P ＜0.05).Scores of NIHSS were (16.3 ±5.57,12.7 ±5.92) respectively,which was obviously lower than those before treatment (P ＜ 0.05).Scores of BI were (44.2 ± 12.18,52.4 ± 13.36) respectively,which were significantly higher than those before treatment (P ＜ 0.05).The levels of CRP,IL-6 and the scores of NIHSS for the HBO group all decreased significantly and the scores of BI elevated obviously,when compared with those of the control group (P ＜ 0.05).After 6 months,clinical follow-ups indicated that scores of BI for the 2 groups were (76.3 ± 18.49,85.4 ± 19.27) respectively,which were significantly higher than those after treatment.Scores of the HBO group elevated more markedly than those of the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions HBO therapy could significantly decrease the levels of CRP and IL-6 in patients with acute cerebral infarction,decrease inflammatory reaction of the brain tissue,and promote recovery of nerve function,thus enhancing the therapeutic effects. Key words: Hyperbaric oxygen;  Cerebral infarction;  C-reactive protein ;  Interleukin-6 ; National Institute of Health Stroke Scale;  Barthel index