title: Histologic evaluation of normobaric oxygen therapy safety in an animal model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oxygen therapy, as a therapeutic modality, can be used for long periods of times. However, it may be accompanied by potential complications and side effects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the side effects of normobaric oxygen therapy in rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a double-blind experiment, 28 white New Zealand rabbits were randomized into an oxygen treatment group (n = 14) and a control group (n = 14). The oxygen treatment group received 100% oxygen at a flow rate of 5 L/min for 1 h daily, for 1 month. The animals were euthanized at the end of the study, and following autopsy a histological evaluation was carried out to detect levels of oxygen toxicity in their; lungs, liver, brain, heart, kidney, eyes and spleen.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histological evaluation revealed no evidence of toxicity in the examined tissues, compared with the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oxygen therapy at a flow rate of 5 L/min for 1 h daily for 1 month had no systemic toxicity and it appears to be safe in rabbits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Esmaeil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Idani
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Nastaran
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ranjbari
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Farideh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sharifipour
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ali Asghar
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Hemmati
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malekahmadi
keywords: Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; Rabbits; Safety