Treatment with hyperbaric oxygen affects endothelial cell fibrinolysis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO) on the thrombolytic properties of endothelial cells.


METHODS
University hospital, Sweden.


METHODS
Human endothelial cells were derived from saphenous veins, and exposed to oxygen in a compression chamber at 2.5 atmospheres absolute (ATA, =250kPa). Cells exposed to 2.5 ATA with a gas mixture similar to air (HB Air), and unpressurised air-exposed cells served as controls.


METHODS
Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1).


RESULTS
Immediately after treatment there was a significant increase in t-PA protein in the medium in cultures treated with HBO compared with HB Air (p = 0.015, n = 6), and untreated controls (p = 0.015, n = 6). The PAI-1 concentration in media was also higher in the HBO-treated group compared with HB Air (p = 0.004, n = 6) and untreated controls (p = 0.004, n = 6). Six hours after treatment there was still a significant increase in PAI-1 in the HBO-treated group compared with untreated controls (p = 0.007, n = 6), but not with the pressure control. t-PA concentrations were similar. Specific mRNA for t-PA and PAI-1 was detectable immediately after treatment and six hours later in all experimental groups as assessed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). HBO increased the gene expression for both t-PA and PAI-1.


CONCLUSIONS
HBO affects endothelial cell function and its fibrinolytic response. These findings may have clinical relevance in hyperbaric medicine and trauma care.
Tjärnström
J
J
Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg University, Sweden.
Holmdahl
L
L
Arnell
P
P
Falkenberg
M
M
Risberg
B
B
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005342:Fibrinolysis; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000166:cytology; D013997:Time Factors; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000096:biosynthesis
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator