INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY ON HEPATOTOXICITY INDUCED BY LEFLUNOMIDE IN RATS
Corresponding author:
Ahmet İNAL: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
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Corresponding author:
Mohamad HALLAK: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Health Sciences, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
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Co, author:
Mehmet Akif BAKTIR: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
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Görkem EKEBAŞ: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
+90 536 261 09 98
Ayhan ATASEVER: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
ABSTRACT
Background: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a treatment modality that involves exposing patients to 100% oxygen at higher atmospheric pressures. In recent years, HBOT has emerged as a potential therapeutic option for various liver diseases, offering advantages such as improved tissue oxygenation, anti-inflammatory effects, enhanced wound healing, and potential hepatoprotective properties. Understanding the benefits of HBOT in liver diseases can pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies and improved patient outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of HBOT in arthritic rats treated with leflunomide (LEF) through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pathways.
Material and Methods: 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups (8 animals in each group (n = 8)). 1st group was the control group, which received no treatment. 2nd group was RA + LEF 5 mg/kg, 3rd group was RA + LEF 5 mg/kg + HBOT. Rheumatoid arthritis was induced using Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA). The treatment was initiated on the 10th day following induction and lasted for a total of 18 days. The impact on disease progression was assessed through histological changes, which were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin staining, while the Anti-TNF-α antibody levels were determined.
Results: Compared with the RL group, the RLH group significantly decreases necrotic cells, Lymphocyte-rich mononuclear cells, and active anti-TNF-α.
Conclusion: HBOT showed a beneficial effect and decreased hepatotoxicity on Leflunomide- induced liver injury.
Keywords: hepatotoxicity; hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT); leflunomide
Key points: This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in arthritic rats treated with leflunomide (LEF). Rheumatoid arthritis was induced, and rats were divided into three groups: control, LEF treatment, and LEF treatment with HBOT. HBOT showed a beneficial effect in reducing liver injury caused by leflunomide.