Objective To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy following spinal cord injury (SCI) and its mechanisms. Methods Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups after inducing SCI models using a modified version of Allen's method. The HBO group received HBO treatment 2 h after the procedure and were then treated 100 min every day for 5 consecutive days. All the rats were evaluated 1 h before the operation, and 1 h, 10 d and 20 d afterward using BBB scores and inclined plane experiments. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. At twenty days, all the rats were sacrificed and their spinal cords were examined pathologically using HE staining. Results Average BBB scores and climbing ability in the HBO group were better than in the control group at the 10th and 20th day after the operation. Compared to the control group, SOD increased significantly and MDA decreased significantly in the HBO group at the 2nd and 5th day after the operation. There was less cystic degeneration of the spinal cord in the HBO group. Conclusions HBO demonstrated a positive effect after SCI. Oxygen free radicals might be one of the mechanisms for the better recovery.

Objective To investigate the effect of percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty (PKP) on bone density and serum leptin in patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures. Methods One hundred and two patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures and 100 cases of healthy control were treated with PKP surgery. The serum leptin and adiponectin, and the bone mineral density of the lumbar spine were determined. Results patients Levels of the serum leptin and adiponectin in patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral compression fracture were significantly higher than those with non osteoporotic fracture patients (P < 0.05). One month post-PVP, the levels of serum leptin and adiponectin in the two groups were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). postoperative group of The lumbar bone density at 1 month post-operation was is significantly higher than that before operation in each group (P < 0.05, respectively), with no significant difference between the two groups. The levels of serum leptin and adiponectin were negatively correlated with the bone mineral density (BMD) (P < 0.05). Conclusions tLevels of serum adiponectin and leptin were both increased in osteoporotic or non bone osteoporosis thoracolumbar vertebral compressor fractures. The percutaneous vertebroplasty forming operation could effectively reduce the serum level of leptin and adiponectin, and improve the bone mineral density of the lumbar vertebrae.