title: Effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on intervertebral disc degeneration: an in vivo study with sprague-dawley rats.
abstract: METHODS
  An in vivo study was conducted to test the effect of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) on intervertebral disc degeneration in Sprague-Dawley rats.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To observe the changes in intervertebral disc height and levels of glycosaminoglycan, collagen, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in degenerated intervertebral discs after HBO therapy.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Although the involvement of IL-1β, PGE-2, NO, and low O2 concentration has been demonstrated in intervertebral disc degeneration, the actual mechanism is not clear. It has been reported that HBO influences changes in IL-1β, PGE-2, NO, and O2 concentration. Previously, a study demonstrated an in vitro positive effect of HBO on the human nucleus pulposus. Thus, an in vivo study in animals was necessary.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve Sprague-Dawley rats were each injected with chondroitinase ABC in 2 proximal intervertebral discs of the tail. After treating with 100% oxygen at 2.5 atmospheres 2 hours per days for 10 days, the change in disc height was determined by radiography. The amounts of PGE-2, iNOS, glycosaminoglycan, and total collagen in the intervertebral disc were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Tissue morphology and the distribution of glycosaminoglycan, IL-1β, and iNOS in the intervertebral disc were assessed by histology and immunohistochemistry. The area of IL-1β in the intervertebral discs was quantified using image analysis software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HBO therapy stopped the decrease in intervertebral disc height, caused an increase in the amount of glycosaminoglycan, and inhibited IL-1β, PGE-2, and iNOS production.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HBO provides a potential treatment modality for intervertebral disc degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Keelung, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: I-Chun
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hsien-Tao
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chung-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Shu-Wen
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Whu
authors.forename: Song-Shu
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chun-I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Chih-Hwa
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wen-Jer
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019765:Chondroitin ABC Lyase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation / Q000379:methods*; D007118:Immunoassay; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000378:metabolism; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000628:therapy*; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D003094:Collagen; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D019765:Chondroitin ABC Lyase; D015232:Dinoprostone