Effect of hyperoxia on vascular endothelial growth factor levels in a wound model.
OBJECTIVE
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy increases vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in wounds.


METHODS
Wounds were monitored for oxygen delivery during HBO treatment, and wound fluids were analyzed for VEGF and lactate on days 2, 5, and 10 following wounding.


METHODS
Experimental animal model.


METHODS
Rats were randomized to HBO therapy and control groups. The HBO therapy was administered for 90 minutes, twice daily with 100% oxygen at 2.1 atmospheres absolute. Treatment was administered for 7 days following wounding.


METHODS
Vascular endothelial growth factor, PO(2), and lactate levels in wound fluid were measured on days 2, 5, and 10.


RESULTS
Wound oxygen rises with HBO from nearly 0 mm Hg to as high as 600 mm Hg. The peak level occurs at the end of the 90-minute treatment, and hyperoxia of lessening degree persists for approximately 1 hour. The VEGF levels significantly increase with HBO by approximately 40% 5 days following wounding and decrease to control levels 3 days after exposures are stopped. Wound lactate levels remain unchanged with HBO treatment (range, 2.0-10.5 mmol/L).


CONCLUSIONS
Increased VEGF production seems to explain in part the angiogenic action of HBO. This supports other data that hypoxia is not necessarily a requirement for wound VEGF production.
Sheikh
A Y
AY
Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Ave, Box 0522, HSW 1652, San Francisco, CA 94143-0522, USA.
Gibson
J J
JJ
Rollins
M D
MD
Hopf
H W
HW
Hussain
Z
Z
Hunt
T K
TK
D000818:Animals; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D018496:Hyperoxia / Q000378:metabolism; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013997:Time Factors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D014945:Wound Healing
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D019344:Lactic Acid; D010100:Oxygen