Skip to main content

You must be a logged-in member of UHMS or a subscriber to the UHMS Journal in order to download the articles listed within these pages. If you are a member or subscriber, please log in using the Log In button above. If you would like to purchase a membership or a subscription, use the buttons below.

Join the UHMS
Purchase a Subscription

Search UHM/UBR

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on open tibial fractures in rabbits after transient seawater immersion

Objective: To explore the effect and mechanism of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy of open tibial fractures in rabbits after transient seawater immersion.

Methods: Forty-eight (48) New Zealand rabbits were randomly and averagely divided into an HBO2 therapy group (Group A) and a control group (Group B). All rabbits were subjected to unilateral open tibial fractures, while immersed in artificial seawater (20-22 °C) for three hours prior to debridement and external fixation. Group A was treated with HBO2 at 2 atmospheres absolute (ATA) for 50 minutes once daily for two weeks; Group B received postoperative routine treatments only. The fracture zone in each group was compared by radiological, histological and immunohistochemical examinations.

Results: In Group A, bony callus and mature osteocytes without infiltration of inflammatory cells were observed in the fracture zone. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was expressed mainly in the cytoplasm of osteoblasts, chondrocytes and osteocytes, and exhibited significant changes at different time points. The gray value of bony callus in Group A was 190.58 ± 7.52; that of Group B was 144 ± 8.11. Difference between the groups was statistically significant (P<0.01). The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in Group A was significantly lower than Group B (P<0.01), and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in Group A was higher than Group B (P<0.01) at four weeks. There were no significant differences in MDA content and SOD activity between groups at eight and 12 weeks. 

Conclusions: HBO2 treatment of open tibial fractures in seawater can reduce the inflammatory reaction and reperfusion injury, and promote osteocytic proliferation and fracture healing.

DOI: 10.22462/5.6.2017.4