Combined Hyperbaric Oxygen and Hypothermia Treatment on Oxidative Stress Parameters after Spinal Cord Injury: An Experimental Study

Background and Aims. We undertook this study to investigate the possible beneficial effects of combined hypothermia and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment in comparison with methylprednisolone in experimental spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods. Forty eight male Wistar albino rats (200-250 g) were randomized into six groups; A (normothermic control group; only laminectomy), B (normothermic trauma group; laminectomy + spinal trauma), C (normothermic methylprednisolone group; laminectomy + spinal trauma + methylprednisolone treated), D (hypothermia group; laminectomy + spinal trauma + hypothermia treated); E (HBO group; laminectomy + spinal trauma + HBO therapy), F (hypothermia and HBO group; laminectomy + spinal trauma + hypothermia and HBO treated) each containing eight rats. Neurological assessments were performed 24 h after trauma and spinal cord tissue samples had been harvested for both biochemical and histopathological evaluation. Results. After SCI, tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) level of the control group was measured increased, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities were measured decreased. In group F, it was also shown that MDA level elevation had been prevented, and group F has increased the antioxidant enzyme activities than the other experimental groups C, D, E (p < 0.05). Conclusions. We concluded that the use of combined hypothermia and HBO treatment might have potential benefits in spinal cord tissue on secondary damage. (C) 2010 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Inc.