title: Reduction of rattlesnake-venom-induced myonecrosis in mice by hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
abstract: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) at 1, 2, and 2.75 atmospheres absolute (ATA) was used to treat rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) venom-induced tissue damage and edema in thigh muscles of mice. Tissue damage was evaluated by double-blind histopathologic examination: tissue edema was determined by measuring tissue water content. A total of 10 intermittent exposures to oxygen over a period of 4 days at 2 and 2.75 ATA did not influence the resolution of venom-induced tissue edema, whereas tissue damage was significantly ameliorated as compared to air-treated envenomated controls. HBOT also promoted healing in the venom-injected mice as evidenced by the presence of regenerating muscle cells. It is concluded that HBOT may limit rattlesnake venom-induced myonecrosis and promote healing in a dose-response relationship without reducing venom-induced edema.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sadeghani
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Gottlieb
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Ownby
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Van Meter
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Torbati
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D051379:Mice; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009336:Necrosis; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D003435:Crotalid Venoms