title: Hyperbaric oxygen as a prophylaxis for radiation-induced delayed enteropathy.
abstract: This trial was accomplished in C3H mice to determine whether hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) could be administered to prevent delayed radiation enteropathy. Fifty mice randomized into two equal groups received 30 Gy abdominopelvic irradiation in 10 fractions. The study group received a course of 30 HBO treatments beginning 7 weeks after the radiation exposure. The control group received only housing and nutritional support after irradiation. A third group of three animals had no radiation or HBO. All animals were sacrificed 7 months after radiation. Animals were inspected grossly for signs of enteropathy. In addition, a special stretch apparatus was used to quantify narrowing and rigidity of ileum just proximal to the ileocecal junction. Those animals who received HBO had fewer gross signs of enteropathy and had less narrowing and less rigidity in their harvested bowel segments. These differences were highly statistically significant. Treatment with HBO drastically reduces signs of radiation enteropathy. Further study including clinical trials are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48235, USA.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Feldmeier
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jelen
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Davolt
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Valente
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Meltz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alecu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000528:radiation effects; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000517:prevention & control*