Effect of hyperbaric oxygen on brain nerve cells in adult rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

Objective To explore the effect of 30 d hyperbaric oxygen(HBO)therapy on brain nerve cells in the cerebral ischemic adult rats.Methods Adult Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomized into 3 group:normal control group,ischemia-reperfusion(IR)group,and HBO group.The rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)was established by occlusion for 1.5 h and then reperfusion.All rats were injected with BrdU(50 mg/kg)twice at a internal of 24 h.The rats in HBO group were given HBO therapy(2.8 ATA,60 min,once daily)for 30 d.All rats were killed at first day after therapy.The cerebrum was collected and made into 4 μm sections.The expression of Nestin and BrdU in ischemic regions was observed under light microscope.Results Nestin+ and BrdU+ cells expressed in injured regions.The densities of both in HBO group were significantly higher than that in IR group,and there was no positive cells in normal control group.Conclusion The 30 d HBO therapy could protect the nerve cells of adult rats from cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury or induce its proliferation.