Influence of hyperbaric oxygen on the initial stages of bone healing.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate, in a rat model, the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on the healing of normal bone on day 7.


METHODS
Forty male rats were used, equally divided into two groups based on treatment and time of sacrifice: the control group had bone defects created; and the HBO group had bone defects and received HBO. HBO sessions were conducted daily, at 2.5 atmosphere absolute for 90 minutes, and the animals were euthanized after 1, 3, 5, or 7 days. Bone density, bone neoformation, and expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase were evaluated.


RESULTS
Computed tomography analysis revealed significant differences only at 3 days (P=.01) between the control and HBO groups. HBO treatment accelerated the initial events of bone repair, resulting in improved bone neoformation. Increased expression of Runx2 was observed, especially on days 5 and 7 in the HBO group, although not significantly. There was no significant difference (P=.74) in the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive osteoclasts between the control and HBO groups on day 7.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that exposure to HBO enhances bone anabolism, reduces inflammation, and accelerates bone healing, with positive results in bone neoformation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of HBO on the healing of experimental defects created in normal bone, on the first 7 days, in a rat model.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil. Electronic address: Flavianasoares.rocha@gmail.com.
Flaviana Soares
FS
Rocha
Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
Camilla Christian
CC
Gomes Moura
Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
Denise Betulucci
DB
Rocha Rodrigues
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
Darceny
D
Zanetta-Barbosa
Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
Karen Renata
KR
Nakamura Hiraki
Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
Paula
P
Dechichi
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005269:Femur / Q000601:surgery*; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*