Effect of hyperbaric oxygen on HIF-1α expression and brain edema in rat with intracerebral hemorrhage

Objective To investigate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen on HIF-1α expression and brain edema in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage. Methods Eighty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into sham group, ICH group and HBO group. Then ICH group and HBO group were divided into 6 h, 24 h, 3 d, 7 d and 14 d subgroups. Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the levels of HIF-1α. The water content in rat brains was detected to determine the effects of HBO on the expression of HIF-1α in brain after intracerebral hemorrhage. Results Compared with sham group, the water content in ICH group and HBO group were significantly increased (P0.05), and the levels of HIF-1α were also significantly increased (P0.05). There were statistically significant difference in the levels of HIF-1α between ICH group and HBO group on the 14th day after intracerebral hemorrhage (P0.05). There were a positive correlation between the levels of water content and HIF-1α labeling index in ICH group (P0.05), while a negative correlation in HBO group (P0.05). Conclusion The expression of HIF-1α may be involved in the formation of brain edema after ICH. HBO retreatment may inhibit the expression of HIF-1α and reduce the formation of brain edema.