Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the viability of irradiated soft head and neck tissues in mice.

OBJECTIVES: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is used clinically in irradiation-induced injury to healthy tissues, but the effectiveness and working mechanism remain unclear. This study examined the effects of HBOT on irradiated salivary glands and tongue in a mouse model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice were irradiated with a single dose (15 Gy) in the head and neck region and subjected to HBOT, either before or after irradiation. During the course of the treatments, salivary flow rates were measured and at different time points after radiation (2, 6, 10 and 24 weeks), salivary glands and tongue were harvested and (immuno) histochemically analysed. RESULTS: Proliferation and blood vessel density in salivary glands were enhanced by HBOT in the medium term (10 weeks after irradiation), while salivary flow rates were not influenced. In the long term, irradiation-induced proliferation in the muscle tissue of the tongue was decreased by HBOT. CONCLUSION: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) appears to stimulate regeneration or protection of salivary gland tissue following radiation therapy. Possible implications of the effect of HBOT on muscle tissue of the tongue for the prevention of dysphagia and trismus are discussed. This study provides insights on the cellular changes after HBOT and encourages further research on this topic to achieve a better implementation of the therapy in humans.

A hyperbaric oxygen chamber for animal experimental purposes.

Facilities for hyperbaric oxygen therapy that are suitable for animal experimental research are scarce. In this paper, the authors introduce a hyperbaric oxygen chamber that was developed specifically for animal experimental purposes. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber was designed to meet a number of criteria regarding safety and ease of use. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber conforms to 97/23/EC (Pressure Equipment Directive), Conformity Assessment Module G Product Group 1. It provides easy access, and can be run in manual mode, semi-automatic mode and full-automatic mode. Sensors for pressure level, oxygen level, temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide level allow full control. This state-of-the-art hyperbaric oxygen chamber for animal experimental purposes permits the investigation of the biological mechanisms through which hyperbaric oxygen therapy acts at a fundamental level.