Adjunctive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Refractory Crohn's Disease: An Observational Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patients may experience complications of Crohn's disease (CD) even when treated with optimal medical therapy strategies. Previous data have shown the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in the management of complicated CD. However, there is no consensus regarding the optimal number of sessions or duration of treatment regimens. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of HBOT in CD patients who were refractory to conventional medical management. METHODS: This study included patients who underwent HBOT for the treatment of the following complications: perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease (pCD), enterocutaneous fistulas (ECF), or pyoderma gangrenosum (PG). Complete healing was defined as the closure of external orifice and the absence of active draining (in pCD), complete wound healing (in PG), and granulation or complete wound epithelialization with no enteric draining (in ECF). The persistence of draining and the absence of wound granulation were defined as incomplete healing. RESULTS: Forty patients were included. The mean CD duration was 10.6 ± 5.8 years. pCD comprised most of the included patients (25/62.5%), followed by ECF (n = 13/32.5%) and PG (n = 6/15%). In two patients (5%), a combination of ECF and PG was diagnosed, and in one patient (2.5%), all three complications were observed. A total of 32 patients (82.5%) had complete healing. Patients with PG had the highest healing rates (100%), followed by those with ECF (84.6%) and pCD (80%). CONCLUSIONS: Adjunctive HBO was associated with significant healing rates for CD-associated complications such as pCD, ECF, and PG.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy decreases mortality due to Fournier's gangrene: a retrospective comparative study.

There is no consensus about the role of adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in the management of Fournier's gangrene. The aim of this study was to compare the evolution of patients with Fournier's gangrene treated with all classical measures with and without adjuvant HBOT. A retrospective comparative study regarding the evolution of patients treated for Fournier's gangrene was conducted in two periods. In period I, from 1990 to 2002, patients received standard treatments for Fournier's gangrene, which consisted of surgical debridement, antibiotic therapy and intensive care. In period II, from 2012 to 2019, adjunctive HBOT was added to the classical management strategy. All patients were assigned into four groups according to the anatomical severity classification and the area affected after the first debridement. This classification ensured that the groups could be comparable. The total number of patients in this study was 197, and these patients were divided into control group (118/59.9%) and HBOT group (79/40.1%). The mean age, comorbidities, and anatomical severity classification were similar between the two groups. In period I, 34 out of 118 (28.8%) patients died, while in the HBOT group, 3 out of 77 (3.7%) patients died (P < 0.001). The use of adjuvant HBOT in combination with classical treatment was associated with reduced mortality. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board and the Ethics Committee of Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil (No. 08/2018) on May 2, 2018.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduces astrogliosis and helps to recovery brain damage in hydrocephalic young rats.

PURPOSE: We investigated the possible beneficial effects that hyperbaric oxygen therapy could offer in different brain structures affected by ventriculomegaly in pup rats submitted to experimental hydrocephalus. METHODS: Seven-day-old Wistar rats were submitted to hydrocephalus by intracisternal injection of 10% kaolin into the cisterna magna. The animals were divided into four groups: control (n = 5); control with HBOT (3ATA/2 h/day) (n = 5); untreated hydrocephalic (n = 10); hydrocephalic treated with HBOT (3ATA/2 h/day) (n = 10). The treatment with HBOT was performed daily for 14 days post-induction of hydrocephalus. To evaluate the response to treatment, behavioral tests (open field, Morris water maze, and activity monitor) were performed. After 14 days, the animals were euthanized, and the brain was removed for histological (hematoxylin-eosin and solochrome-cyanine) and immunohistochemical (GFAP and Ki-67) studies. RESULTS: The hyperbaric treatment, although not causing changes in ventricular enlargement, resulted in a significant improvement in the behavioral performance (p = 0.0001), with greater agility and exploration of the environment, preservation of spatial memory, and greater learning capacity (p = 0.0001). Through the immunohistochemical study, the astrocytic activity (glial fibrillary acidic protein) in the corpus callosum (p = 0.0001) and in the germinative matrix (p = 0.0033) was significantly reduced as compared to that in the H group. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that hyperbaric treatment bettered the behavioral performance and offered benefits to the structures affected by the ventricular increase helping to recover the brain damages. In this way, the HBOT it can be considered an adjuvant therapy for the treatment of hydrocephalus.

Adjunctive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy promotes successful healing in patients with refractory Crohn's disease.

PURPOSE: To investigate de adjunctive effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in a group of patients with refractory Crohn's disease. METHODS: A total of 29 subjects with refractory Crohn's disease were submitted to daily sessions of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, in a 2800 Sechrist Monoplace Hyperbaric Chamber (Sechrist, USA) pressurized to 2.4 ATA. Each session lasted 2 hours. The endpoint was closure of enterocutaneous fistulas and complete healing of Pyoderma Gangrenosum and perineal Crohn's disease. RESULTS: A total of 829 HBOT sessions were performed and no complications were noted. Overall success rate was 76% (22 cases). Pyoderma Gangrenosum and enterocutaneous fistulas had the highest successful healing rates (100% and 91%, respectively). Perineal Crohn's disease healing rate was 65%. CONCLUSION: Adjunctive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy promoted satisfactory healing in a group of patients with refractory Crohn's disease.

Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Antioxidant Defenses and Oxidative Stress Markers in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer: a Placebo-Controlled, Prospective Randomized Trial.

The study aimed to investigate the effect of oral zinc supplementation on antioxidant defenses and oxidative stress markers during chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. Twenty-four patients who had undergone surgical resection of colorectal cancer participated in this placebo-controlled, prospective randomized study. The supplementation was started in the perioperative period, in which 10 patients received 70 mg of zinc (zinc group, n = 10) and 14 patients received placebo (placebo group, n = 14) for 16 weeks. Approximately 45 days after surgical resection of tumor, all patients received a chemotherapeutic regimen (capecitabine, capecitabine combined with oxaliplatin or 5-fluorouracil). Vitamin C, vitamin E, antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and lipid peroxidation markers malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-isoprostane were determined before the first, second, third, and fourth chemotherapy cycles. Compared with the placebo group, the zinc group presented higher SOD values before the first, second, and fourth chemotherapy cycles and lower GPx values before the third cycle. There were no statistical differences between the study groups in vitamin C, vitamin E, MDA, or 8-isoprostane plasma values. Longitudinal analysis revealed decreased vitamin E concentration in the placebo group before the second and fourth cycles as compared with the initial values. Zinc supplementation during chemotherapy cycles increased SOD activity and maintained vitamin E concentrations. Although no effect of zinc supplementation on oxidative stress markers was observed, the increase in SOD activity indicates a production of stable free radicals, which may have a positive effect in cancer treatment.

Adjunctive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy promotes successful healing in patients with refractory Crohn's disease

PURPOSE: To investigate de adjunctive effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in a group of patients with refractory Crohn's disease. METHODS: A total of 29 subjects with refractory Crohn's disease were submitted to daily sessions of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, in a 2800 Sechrist Monoplace Hyperbaric Chamber (Sechrist, USA) pressurized to 2.4 ATA. Each session lasted 2 hours. The endpoint was closure of enterocutaneous fistulas and complete healing of Pyoderma Gangrenosum and perineal Crohn's disease. RESULTS: A total of 829 HBOT sessions were performed and no complications were noted. Overall success rate was 76% (22 cases). Pyoderma Gangrenosum and enterocutaneous fistulas had the highest successful healing rates (100% and 91%, respectively). Perineal Crohn's disease healing rate was 65%. CONCLUSION: Adjunctive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy promoted satisfactory healing in a group of patients with refractory Crohn's disease.

Hyperbaric oxygen in skeletal muscle of rats submitted to total acute left hindlimb ischemia: A research report.

PURPOSE: Determine the effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment in skeletal muscle of rats submitted to total acute left hindlimb ischemia. METHODS: An experimental study was designed using 48 Wistar rats divided into four groups (n = 12): Control; Ischemia (I)--total hindlimb ischemia for 270 minutes; Hyperbaric oxygen treatment during ischemia (HBO2)--total hindlimb ischemia for 270 minutes and hyperbaric oxygen during the first 90 minutes; Pre-treatment with hyperbaric oxygen (PHBO2)--90 minutes of hyperbaric oxygen treatment before total hindlimb ischemia for 270 minutes. Skeletal muscle injury was evaluated by measuring levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total creatine phosphokinase (CPK); muscular malondialdehyde (MDA), muscular glycogen, and serum ischemia-modified albumin (IMA). RESULTS: AST was significantly higher in I, HBO2 and PHBO2 compared with control (P = .001). There was no difference in LDH. CPK was significantly higher in I, HBO2 and PHBO2, compared with control (p = .014). MDA was significantly higher in PHBO2, compared with other groups (p = .042). Glycogen was significantly decreased in I, HBO2 and PHBO2, compared with control (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Hyperbaric oxygen treatment in acute total hindlimb ischemia exerted no protective effect on muscle injury, regardless of time of application. When applied prior to installation of total ischemia, hyperbaric oxygen treatment aggravated muscle injury.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy ameliorates TNBS-induced acute distal colitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the therapeutic effects of hyperbaric oxygen in experimental acute distal colitis focusing on its effect on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide and hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha. METHODS: Colitis was induced with a rectal infusion of 150 mg/kg of TNBS under anesthesia with Ketamine (50 mg/kg) and Xylazine (10 mg/kg). Control animals received only rectal saline. After colitis induction, animals were subjected to two sessions of hyperbaric oxygen and were then euthanized. The distal intestine was resected for macroscopic analysis, determination of myeloperoxidase activity, western-blotting analyses of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression and immunohistochemical analysis of hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha and cyclooxygenase-2. Cytokines levels in the distal intestine were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy attenuated the severity of acute distal colitis, with reduced macroscopic damage score. This effect was associated with prevention in the increase of pro-inflammatory cytokine production; myeloperoxidase activity, in the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. Finally, hyperbaric oxygen inhibited the acute distal colitis-induced up-regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that hyperbaric oxygen attenuates the severity of acute distal colitis through the down-regulation of pro-inflammatory events.

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as hepatic preconditioning in rats submitted to hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury.

PURPOSE: To analyze the role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as hepatic preconditioning in rats submitted to hepatic ischemia and reperfusion. METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: SHAM, rats submitted to surgical stress without hepatic ischemia and reperfusion, I/R, rats submitted to total hepatic pedicle ischemia for 30 min, followed by 5 min of reperfusion; HBOI/R, rats submitted to 60 minutes of hyperbaric oxygen therapy at 2 atm and immediately submitted to the experimental protocol of ischemia and reperfusion. Liver function was assessed by measuring serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, as well as mitochondrial function by determining states 3 and 4 of mitochondrial respiration, respiratory control rate and mitochondrial permeability transition (mitochondrial swelling). The results were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney test and all P-values <0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: There were significant differences in serum aspartate aminotransferase values in groups SHAM vs. HBOI/R, I/R vs HBOI/R, alanine aminotransferase in groups SHAM and I/R; State 3 in SHAM groups vs. I/R, SHAM vs. HBOI/R, State 4 in I/R vs HBOI/R groups, respiratory control rate in SHAM vs I/R groups; mitochondrial swelling in SHAM vs. I/R groups, and SHAM vs HBOI/R. CONCLUSION: Hyperbaric preconditioning improved hepatic mitochondrial function and decreased serum markers of liver injury in the ischemia and reperfusion process.

Hyperoxic preconditioning in partial liver ischemia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of the hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment as a pre-conditioning for I/R effects in the liver ischemia. METHODS: Fifty-seven male Wistar rats (260-300g) were submitted to the following procedures: SHAM; I/R, rats submitted to I/R, consisting of partial ischemia of 70% of the liver for 90 minutes followed by 15 minutes of reperfusion; HBO I/R 1 ATA, 30 minutes of HBO treatment at the pressure of 1 absolute atmosphere (ATA) during the ischemia time. HBO I/R 2 ATA, 30 minutes of HBO (2 ATA) during the ischemia time. Pre HBO I/R 30', rats submitted to 30 minutes of HBO (2 ATA) immediately before the I/R time. Pre HBO I/R 90', rats submitted to 90 minutes of HBO (2 ATA) immediately before the I/R time. RESULTS: There was a significant worsening of all the parameters of mitochondrial energy production (state 3, 4, RCR and Swelling) in the I/R group, when compared to the Sham group (I/R

Effect of hyperbaric hepatic hyperoxia on the liver of rats submitted to intermittent ischemia/reperfusion injury.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of hyperbaric hyperoxia as hepatic preconditioning on hepatocellular integrity in rats submitted to intermittent hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury. METHODS: Twenty male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (SHAM, I/R, HBO-I/R and CONTROL). The surgical technique consisted of total clamping of the hepatic pedicle for 15 min, followed by reperfusion for 5 min, performed twice. The application of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) was carried out in a collective chamber (simultaneous exposure of 4 rats) pressurized directly with oxygen at 2 ATA for 60 min. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined and blood samples were collected for the determination of serum AST and ALT levels. Data were analyzed statistically by the Mann-Whitney test, with the level of significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in MDA (p< 0.05) was observed between control and HBO-I/R, but not between control and I/R. Regarding AST, there was a difference between control and I/R and HBO-I/R. Analysis of ALT revealed a significant difference between control and I/R (p<0.05) and between I/R and HBO-I/R, with no difference between control and HBO-IR. CONCLUSION: Hyperoxic preconditioning proved to be favorable regarding alanine transaminase, but not aspartate aminotranserase or malondialdehyde levels.

Effect of hyperbaric hepatic hyperoxia on the liver of rats submitted to intermittent ischemia/reperfusion injury

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of hyperbaric hyperoxia as hepatic preconditioning on hepatocellular integrity in rats submitted to intermittent hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury. METHODS: Twenty male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (SHAM, I/R, HBO-I/R and CONTROL). The surgical technique consisted of total clamping of the hepatic pedicle for 15 min, followed by reperfusion for 5 min, performed twice. The application of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) was carried out in a collective chamber (simultaneous exposure of 4 rats) pressurized directly with oxygen at 2 ATA for 60 min. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined and blood samples were collected for the determination of serum AST and ALT levels. Data were analyzed statistically by the Mann-Whitney test, with the level of significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in MDA (p< 0.05) was observed between control and HBO-I/R, but not between control and I/R. Regarding AST, there was a difference between control and I/R and HBO-I/R. Analysis of ALT revealed a significant difference between control and I/R (p<0.05) and between I/R and HBO-I/R, with no difference between control and HBO-IR. CONCLUSION: Hyperoxic preconditioning proved to be favorable regarding alanine transaminase, but not aspartate aminotranserase or malondialdehyde levels. .

Hyperoxic preconditioning in partial liver ischemia

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of the hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment as a pre-conditioning for I/R effects in the liver ischemia. METHODS: Fifty-seven male Wistar rats (260-300g) were submitted to the following procedures: SHAM; I/R, rats submitted to I/R, consisting of partial ischemia of 70% of the liver for 90 minutes followed by 15 minutes of reperfusion; HBO I/R 1 ATA, 30 minutes of HBO treatment at the pressure of 1 absolute atmosphere (ATA) during the ischemia time. HBO I/R 2 ATA, 30 minutes of HBO (2 ATA) during the ischemia time. Pre HBO I/R 30', rats submitted to 30 minutes of HBO (2 ATA) immediately before the I/R time. Pre HBO I/R 90', rats submitted to 90 minutes of HBO (2 ATA) immediately before the I/R time. RESULTS: There was a significant worsening of all the parameters of mitochondrial energy production (state 3, 4, RCR and Swelling) in the I/R group, when compared to the Sham group (I/R <Sham, p<0.05). There was also a significant worsening in state 4, RCR and mitochondrial edema in the Pre HBO I/R 90' group compared to the I/R group. Hepatic enzyme concentrations were significantly higher in the I/R group. CONCLUSION: The use of hyperbaric oxygen before and during I/R did not improve the production of hepatocellular energy reduced by I/R, nor did it prevent the installation of mitochondrial edema induced by Iischemia/reperfusion. .

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as hepatic preconditioning in rats submitted to hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury

PURPOSE: To analyze the role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as hepatic preconditioning in rats submitted to hepatic ischemia and reperfusion. METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: SHAM, rats submitted to surgical stress without hepatic ischemia and reperfusion, I/R, rats submitted to total hepatic pedicle ischemia for 30 min, followed by 5 min of reperfusion; HBOI/R, rats submitted to 60 minutes of hyperbaric oxygen therapy at 2 atm and immediately submitted to the experimental protocol of ischemia and reperfusion. Liver function was assessed by measuring serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, as well as mitochondrial function by determining states 3 and 4 of mitochondrial respiration, respiratory control rate and mitochondrial permeability transition (mitochondrial swelling). The results were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney test and all P-values <0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: There were significant differences in serum aspartate aminotransferase values in groups SHAM vs. HBOI/R, I/R vs HBOI/R, alanine aminotranferase in groups SHAM and I/R; State 3 in SHAM groups vs. I/R, SHAM vs. HBOI/R, State 4 in I/R vs HBOI/R groups, respiratory control rate in SHAM vs I/R groups; mitochondrial swelling in SHAM vs. I/R groups, and SHAM vs HBOI/R. CONCLUSION: Hyperbaric preconditioning improved hepatic mitochondrial function and decreased serum markers of liver injury in the ischemia and reperfusion process. .

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for primary sternal osteomyelitis: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Primary osteomyelitis of the sternum is a rare condition, which accounts for 0.3% of all cases of osteomyelitis reported in the literature. The diagnosis requires a high degree of suspicion and confirmation by percutaneous biopsy. The treatment consists of resection of the periosteum and affected bone. Despite reports of successful conservative treatment using antibiotics alone, early surgical intervention plus bacterial control is the definitive treatment; it reduces morbidity, and is the most cost-effective approach for the patient. We report a case of primary osteomyelitis surgically treated with debridement and antibiotics, followed by hyperbaric oxygen therapy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 39-year-old Brazilian man without a significant medical history presented with primary osteomyelitis. After a normal chest radiograph and normal laboratory test results, he was treated with 2 weeks of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. One month later a presumptive diagnosis of Tietze syndrome was made and he was prescribed prednisolone (60mg/day) for 3 weeks. The following month he presented to our service with swelling, redness, and warmth in the area between his left third and fourth ribs. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large collection of liquid (8.8×6.8×20.2cm) in his chest wall, between the body and the manubrium of the sternum. An area of soft, friable tissue with a large amount of pus was found in his sternum during surgical debridement. Subsequent treatment consisted of antibiotic therapy using metronidazole and cefotaxime plus hyperbaric oxygen therapy. On postoperative day 10 the incision was sutured. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 15 on a regimen of oral ciprofloxacin, and completed hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an out-patient. CONCLUSIONS: The satisfying outcome of this patient reflects the quick action to promote surgical debridement and use of antibiotics, which are both recommended treatments. The closure of the wound in 10 days after debridement suggests that the hyperbaric oxygen therapy might have indirectly, but not conclusively, aided in the premature closure of the wound, avoiding a longer healing by second intention or muscle flap rotation closure.

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO), as pre-conditioning in liver of rats submitted to periodic liver ischemia/reperfusion.

PURPOSE: to assess the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) as pre-conditioning on periodic liver ischemia/reperfusion injury. METHODS: Thirty-six male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (SHAM, I/R , HBO-I/R and CONTROL). The surgical technique consisted of total clamping of the hepatic pedicle for 15 min followed by twice repeated reperfusion for 5 min (unclamping). HBO was applied in a collective chamber (simultaneous exposure of 4 rats) directly pressurized with oxygen at 2 ATA for 60 min. Hepatic mitochondrial function was determined using samples of the median lobe obtained after exactly 5 min of reperfusion for the analysis of mitochondrial respiration based on the determination of states 3 and 4, the respiratory control ratio and the transition of mitochondrial permeability (mitochondrial swelling).Data were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney test and the level of significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in state 3 between the CONTROL and I/R and HBO-I/R groups, in state 4 between the CONTROL and I/R and HBO-I/R groups; in respiratory control ratio (RCR) between the CONTROL and I/R and HBO-I/R groups and between the CONTROL and Sham groups, and in mitochondrial swelling between the CONTROL and I/R and HBO-/R groups and between the Sham and I/R and HBO-I/R groups. CONCLUSION: In this process of periodic ischemia and reperfusion, hyperbaric pre-conditioning did not improve significantly hepatic mitochondrial function.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and ischemia and reperfusion: a valuable association to attenuate ischemic lesion and hepatic reperfusion.

PURPOSE: To investigate the consequences of the association between hyperbaric oxygen therapy and hepatic ischemia / reperfusion. METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into three groups: SHAM, rats submitted to surgical stress and anesthetic but not hepatic ischemia or reperfusion, I / R, rats submitted to total hepatic pedicle ischemia for 30 min, followed by 5 min of reperfusion; HBO120, rats submitted to 120 min of hyperbaric oxygen therapy at two absolute atmospheres and immediately after submitted to the experimental protocol of ischemia and reperfusion. The preservation of the hepatic function was evaluated by determining mitochondrial swelling and malondialdehyde tissue level, as well as alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotranferase serum levels. The results were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test and differences were considered significant for p<0.05. RESULTS: There were significant differences in values: mitochondrial swelling of the I / R group compared to SHAM and HBO120; malondialdehyde between SHAM vs. I / R, SHAM vs HBO120, and I / R vs HBO120, alanine aminotransferase between SHAM vs. I / R . There was no significant difference between groups in aspartate aminotransferase serum levels. CONCLUSION: The association between hyperbaric oxygen therapy and hepatic ischemia and reperfusion process was positive.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and ischemia and reperfusion: a valuable association to attenuate ischemic lesion and hepatic reperfusion

PURPOSE: To investigate the consequences of the association between hyperbaric oxygen therapy and hepatic ischemia / reperfusion. METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into three groups: SHAM, rats submitted to surgical stress and anesthetic but not hepatic ischemia or reperfusion, I / R, rats submitted to total hepatic pedicle ischemia for 30 min, followed by 5 min of reperfusion; HBO120, rats submitted to 120 min of hyperbaric oxygen therapy at two absolute atmospheres and immediately after submitted to the experimental protocol of ischemia and reperfusion. The preservation of the hepatic function was evaluated by determining mitochondrial swelling and malondialdehyde tissue level, as well as alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotranferase serum levels. The results were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test and differences were considered significant for p<0.05. RESULTS: There were significant differences in values: mitochondrial swelling of the I / R group compared to SHAM and HBO120; malondialdehyde between SHAM vs. I / R, SHAM vs HBO120, and I / R vs HBO120, alanine aminotransferase between SHAM vs. I / R . There was no significant difference between groups in aspartate aminotransferase serum levels. CONCLUSION: The association between hyperbaric oxygen therapy and hepatic ischemia and reperfusion process was positive.