Hyperbaric oxygen therapy effects on tissue lesions in acute pancreatitis. Experimental study in rats.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on tissue lesions in an experimental model of acute pancreatitis induced by pancreatic duct ligation. ANIMALS: Forty-eight adult female Wistar rats were randomized into two groups (n=24): control group and hyperbaric oxygen therapy group. INTERVENTION: The second group was treated with a two-hour daily session of hyperbaric oxygen therapy at 2.5 ATA started 6 hours after pancreatic duct ligation. SETTING: The two groups were divided into 3 subgroups of 8 rats each undergoing euthanasia on days 1, 3, and 7 after the acute pancreatitis induction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The pancreas was evaluated according to the following histopathologic criteria: edema, hemorrhage, acinar necrosis and leukocyte infiltration. RESULTS: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was efficient in significantly reducing acinar necrosis on the first day (P=0.049) and the foci of hemorrhage on the seventh day (P=0.050). The edema and leukocyte infiltration did not show the expected reduction. CONCLUSION: The utilization of a daily session of hyperbaric oxygen therapy at 2.5 ATA is efficient in reducing the hemorrhage and acinar necrosis but is not sufficient to reduce edema and leukocyte infiltration.