Hyperbaric oxygen results in increased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein expression in rabbit calvarial critical-sized defects.
BACKGROUND
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) promotes osseous healing, however the mechanism by which this occurs has not been elucidated. HBO may promote angiogenesis, which is vital for bone healing. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the key factors that stimulates angiogenesis.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate whether HBO altered VEGF expression during bone healing.


METHODS
Archived samples from calvarial defects of rabbits exposed to HBO (2.4 ATA, 90 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 4 weeks) and normobaric oxygen controls (NBO) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
VEGF expression in 6-week HBO samples was elevated compared to NBO (P = .012). Staining of the 12-week HBO samples was reduced compared to 6-week HBO (P = .008) and was similar to 6- and 12-week NBO control samples.


CONCLUSIONS
HBO therapy resulted in increased VEGF expression in the defects even 2 weeks after the termination of treatment (6 weeks postsurgery).
Fok
Tommy C O
TC
Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Jan
Ahmed
A
Peel
Sean A F
SA
Evans
A Wayne
AW
Clokie
Cameron M L
CM
Sándor
George K B
GK
D000818:Animals; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D008297:Male; D010294:Parietal Bone / Q000293:injuries / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A