title: Stimulating angiogenesis by hyperbaric oxygen in an isolated tissue construct.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) treatment has been shown to stimulate angiogenesis in prefabricated myocutaneous flaps. We conducted the current study to determine optimal HBO2 treatment intervals for peak angiogenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lewis rats were implanted subcutaneously with silicone molds in the inguinal region. Molds contained inguinal fat, a vascular pedicle and Matrigel plug. Thirty-two animals were randomized into four groups: HBO2 Treatment (2.5 atm of 100% oxygen, 90 minutes, 2x/day)--Group 1 (seven days) or--Group 2 (14 days); and Control Treatment (room air at atmospheric pressure)--Group 1 (seven days) or--Group 2(14 days). Implants were harvested, processed for H&E staining, and imaged digitally; angiogenesis was assessed by grade of vascularization at the Matrigel/fat boundary. Intergroup grading differences were assessed statistically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vascularization in seven-day HBO2-treated implants was significantly increased compared to seven-day controls (p = 0.008). Vascularization in 14-day HBO2-treated implants was significantly decreased compared to 14-day controls (p = 0.012). There was no significant difference between seven-day HBO-treated implants and 14-day controls (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term HBO2 exposure appears to increase angiogenesis in isolated tissue constructs. Prolonged HBO2 exposure may lead to vascular pruning. Short-term HBO2 exposure appears to expedite the natural vascularization process, resulting in equivalent vascularization in a shorter time.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Ill, USA.
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.forename: Margo S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Herron
authors.forename: Reuben A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bueno
authors.forename: Christopher B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Neumeister
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000637:transplantation; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000637:transplantation; D003094:Collagen; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation / Q000379:methods*; D007797:Laminin; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D011509:Proteoglycans; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D012828:Silicones; D013997:Time Factors; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007797:Laminin; D011509:Proteoglycans; D012828:Silicones; C059485:matrigel; D003094:Collagen