Objective:To observe the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on the pituitary function of patients with subacute traumatic brain injury.Methods:Sixty-six patients with subacute traumatic brain injury and hypopituitarism were randomly divided into a control group ( n=33) and an HBO group ( n=33). Patients in both groups were given conventional treatment including dehydration to reduce intracranial pressure, anti-infection medication, epilepsy and bed sores prevention measures, neurotrophic treatment, fluid replacement and rehabilitation. The HBO group was additionally given HBO at 0.2MPa (2.0ATA), once a day, 6 times a week for a total of 20 administrations. Before and after the treatment, serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), growth hormone (GH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), prolactin (PRL), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), cortisol, insulin-like growth factor 1, free tetraiodothyronine, testosterone, and estradiol levels were detected using chemical immunoluminescence. The ACTH, GH, TSH, PRL, LH and FSH values were used to calculate general pituitary hormone scores. Results:After the treatment, the average PRL, LH and testosterone levels and the general pituitary hormone score in the HBO group were significantly higher than among the controls.Conclusions:HBO treatment can increase the levels of various hormones in patients with subacute traumatic brain injury and promote the recovery of pituitary function.

Objective:To explore the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) combined with electroacupuncture on the myelin inhibitory associated proteins (Nogo-A and NgR receptor) in rats with spinal cord injury.Methods:A total of 84 female SD rats were randomly divided into four groups, namely, model group, HBO group, electroacupuncture group, and combined treatment group. After successful modeling, the model group did not receive intervention, and the other groups were treated accordingly. Samples were collected on the 3, 7, and 14 d after the injury for evaluating the injured rats with Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) Locomotor Rating Scale, and performing the HE staining and related gene detection on them.Results:After the injury on the 3, 7, and 14 d, the BBB scores of the HBO group, the electroacupuncture group, and the combined treatment group were significantly higher than those of the model group ( P<0.01), and the scores of the combined treatment group were higher than those of the HBO group and the electroacupuncture group, but there was no significant difference between the score of the HBO group and that of the electroacupuncture group. After the injury on the 3, 7, and 14 d, Nogo-A mRNA expression levels in the HBO group, the electroacupuncture group, and the combined treatment group were all lower than those in the model group ( P<0.05). After the injury on the 7 d and 14 d, the expression levels of NgR mRNA in the HBO group (0.49±0.53, 0.52±0.47), the electroacupuncture group (0.53±0.58, 0.58±0.36), and the combined treatment group (0.16±0.13, 0.20±0.13) were all lower than those in the model group (1.33±1.26, 1.03±0.30) ( P<0.05). Moreover, the Nogo-A and NgR mRNA expression levels in the combined treatment group were lower than those in the HBO group and the electroacupuncture group, while the difference between the HBO group and the electroacupuncture group was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared with monotherapy, the combined treatment of spinal cord injury in rats can inhibit the expressions of Nogo-A and NgR mRNA better, reduce cell injury, and promote the growth of spinal cord fiber bundle and the recovery of motor function.

Objective:To explore the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) combined with electroacupuncture on the myelin inhibitory associated proteins (Nogo-A and NgR receptor) in rats with spinal cord injury.Methods:A total of 84 female SD rats were randomly divided into four groups, namely, model group, HBO group, electroacupuncture group, and combined treatment group. After successful modeling, the model group did not receive intervention, and the other groups were treated accordingly. Samples were collected on the 3, 7, and 14 d after the injury for evaluating the injured rats with Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) Locomotor Rating Scale, and performing the HE staining and related gene detection on them.Results:After the injury on the 3, 7, and 14 d, the BBB scores of the HBO group, the electroacupuncture group, and the combined treatment group were significantly higher than those of the model group ( P<0.01), and the scores of the combined treatment group were higher than those of the HBO group and the electroacupuncture group, but there was no significant difference between the score of the HBO group and that of the electroacupuncture group. After the injury on the 3, 7, and 14 d, Nogo-A mRNA expression levels in the HBO group, the electroacupuncture group, and the combined treatment group were all lower than those in the model group ( P<0.05). After the injury on the 7 d and 14 d, the expression levels of NgR mRNA in the HBO group (0.49±0.53, 0.52±0.47), the electroacupuncture group (0.53±0.58, 0.58±0.36), and the combined treatment group (0.16±0.13, 0.20±0.13) were all lower than those in the model group (1.33±1.26, 1.03±0.30) ( P<0.05). Moreover, the Nogo-A and NgR mRNA expression levels in the combined treatment group were lower than those in the HBO group and the electroacupuncture group, while the difference between the HBO group and the electroacupuncture group was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared with monotherapy, the combined treatment of spinal cord injury in rats can inhibit the expressions of Nogo-A and NgR mRNA better, reduce cell injury, and promote the growth of spinal cord fiber bundle and the recovery of motor function.

Objective To observe any effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on cognitive dysfunction caused by traumatic brain injury,and to explore possible neural mechanisms.Methods Sixty-four patients with cognitive impairment after a traumatic brain injury were randomly divided into a hyperbaric oxygen group (n =32) and a control group (n=32) using a random number table.Both groups accepted routine medical therapy and cognitive rehabilitation training,but the hyperbaric oxygen group additionally received hyperbaric oxygen treatment.Both groups' cognitive functioning was assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) before and after the treatment.Fifteen patients were randomly selected from both groups to receive T1WI and diffusion tensor imaging scans.The correlation between the two evaluation resuhs was analyzed.Results After the intervention,improvement was observed in the average MMSE and MoCA scores of both groups,with the improvement in both average scores in the hyperbaric oxygen group significantly greater than among the control group.There was no significant correlation between the fractional anisotropy (FA) values of damaged white matter and the average MMSE or MoCA score in the controi group,but in the hyperbaric oxygen group there were significant positive correlations between the FA values of the corpus callosum,the anterior limb of the internal capsule and the left superior longitudinal fasciculus and the average MMSE and MoCA scores.Conclusions Hyperbaric oxygen therapy combined with rehabilitation training can further improve cognition after a traumatic brain injury.This is probably due to its adjusting the structure and function of the corpus callosum,of the anterior limb of the internal capsule and of the left superior longitudinal fasciculus.

Objective To observe the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on the improvement of executive function of the patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) by using resting state functional magnetic resonance (rs-fMRI).Methods Fifty patients with executive disorder after traumatic brain injury were randomly divided into the HBO group (n =25) and the control group (n =25).The patients of the control group received routine treatment and executive function rehabilitation training,while the patients of the HBO group were supplemented with HBOT in addition to the treatment received by the control group.The applied HBO pressure was 2.0 MPa,one session a day with a duration of 105 minutes,five days a week,for a total of 20 sessions.Both before and after treatment,all the subjects received executive function assessment and rs-fMRI examination by using the drawing of clock test,the Chinese version Stroop color word test and the Wechsler adult intelligence scale similarity subtest.In the study,we closely observed the effects of HBOT on the intensity of metabolic activities in the brain,changes in neuron cell synchronization and coordination in TBI patients through the approach of rs-fMRI technique combined with ReHo and ALFF analysis methods.At the same time,the correlation between imaging data and neuropsychological assessment results was also analyzed in the study.Results (1) After intervention,Stroop-A time-consumption and Stroop-C time-consumption,correct reading scores,as well as interference scores of the HBO group were all significantly better than those of the control group,and statistical significance could be found when comparisons were made between the 2 groups (P ＜ 0.05).(2) Following intervention with different methods,obvious differences in the ALFF value of superior parietal lobe in the common brain regions of the TBI patients in the 2 groups could be seen,with statistical significance (P ＜ 0.05).Correlation analysis revealed that there was a positive correlation between the superior parietal lobe and interference time in the HBO group (P ＜ 0.05).(3) There was also a positive correlation between correct readings of Stroop-A in the middle frontal gyrus of the HBO group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Executive function rehabilitation training,HBO therapy combined with executive function rehabilitation training could improve the executive function of TBI patients to various degrees.HBO therapy combined with executive function rehabilitation training was more beneficial to further improvement of executive function in patients with TBI.The improvement of executive function in TBI patients by HBO therapy might be achieved through the regulation of spontaneous activity and regional homogeneity of neurons in the middle frontal gyms,and superior parietal lobe.

Objective To observe the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on the improvement of executive function of the patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) by using resting state functional magnetic resonance (rs-fMRI).Methods Fifty patients with executive disorder after traumatic brain injury were randomly divided into the HBO group (n =25) and the control group (n =25).The patients of the control group received routine treatment and executive function rehabilitation training,while the patients of the HBO group were supplemented with HBOT in addition to the treatment received by the control group.The applied HBO pressure was 2.0 MPa,one session a day with a duration of 105 minutes,five days a week,for a total of 20 sessions.Both before and after treatment,all the subjects received executive function assessment and rs-fMRI examination by using the drawing of clock test,the Chinese version Stroop color word test and the Wechsler adult intelligence scale similarity subtest.In the study,we closely observed the effects of HBOT on the intensity of metabolic activities in the brain,changes in neuron cell synchronization and coordination in TBI patients through the approach of rs-fMRI technique combined with ReHo and ALFF analysis methods.At the same time,the correlation between imaging data and neuropsychological assessment results was also analyzed in the study.Results (1) After intervention,Stroop-A time-consumption and Stroop-C time-consumption,correct reading scores,as well as interference scores of the HBO group were all significantly better than those of the control group,and statistical significance could be found when comparisons were made between the 2 groups (P ＜ 0.05).(2) Following intervention with different methods,obvious differences in the ALFF value of superior parietal lobe in the common brain regions of the TBI patients in the 2 groups could be seen,with statistical significance (P ＜ 0.05).Correlation analysis revealed that there was a positive correlation between the superior parietal lobe and interference time in the HBO group (P ＜ 0.05).(3) There was also a positive correlation between correct readings of Stroop-A in the middle frontal gyrus of the HBO group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Executive function rehabilitation training,HBO therapy combined with executive function rehabilitation training could improve the executive function of TBI patients to various degrees.HBO therapy combined with executive function rehabilitation training was more beneficial to further improvement of executive function in patients with TBI.The improvement of executive function in TBI patients by HBO therapy might be achieved through the regulation of spontaneous activity and regional homogeneity of neurons in the middle frontal gyms,and superior parietal lobe.

Objective To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on homing of exogenous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats. Methods BMSCs were isolated and cultured with Ficoll density gradient centrifuga-tion, and the surface markers (CD29, CD90, CD45, CD11b) of the third generation were identified with flow cytometry. The authenticated BM-SCs were processed by the cell membrane fluorescent probe CM-DiI before transplantation. Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were divided in-to Sham group (n=6), TBI group (n=6), BMSCs group (n=12), HBO+BMSCs group (n=12). The number and locations of homing of tracing BMSCs were observed under fluorescent microscope after frozen sections, and the expression of stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and CXC chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) proteins were detected with Western blotting one and three days after BMSCs transplantation. Re-sults The fluorescence-labeled BMSCs focused on the injured hemisphere, especially around the damaged brain tissue. The number of hom-ing was more in HBO+BMSCs group than in BMSCs group at the same time (P<0.01), and increased in both groups three days after trans-plantation compared with those of one day after transplantation (P<0.01). The expression of SDF-1 and CXCR4 protein were more in HBO+BMSCs group than in BMSCs group (P<0.05). Conclusion HBO can promote the exogenous BMSCs homing to damaged brain tissue in rats after traumatic brain injury, which is related to the enhancement of SDF-1/CXCR4 axis.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI)in angiogenesis and invasion of ovarian tumors .Methods 98 patients with pathological-confirmed ovarian tumors without any treatment underwent plain MRI and DCE-MRI before operation .The plain MR images and DCE-MRI data were retrospectively analyzed .Value of Ktrans and Ve was detected by pharmacokinetic model .The expression of VEGF and MMP-2 in ovarian tumors was examined by immunohistochemistry .The correlation between DCE-MRI parameters and immunohistochemical results was analyzed .Results The expression of VEGF and MMP-2 was sig-nificantly higher in the malignant group compared with that in the benign group (both P<0.05).The value of Ktrans and Ve was significantly lower in the benign group compared with that in the malignant group ( both P<0.05) .The value of Ktrans and Ve was positively correlated with the expression of VEGF and MMP-2.Conclusion DCE-MRI can noninvasively evaluate the angiogenesis and invasion of ovarian tumors in vivo , which has important signifi-cance for clinical treatment and prognostic assessment .

Objective To observe the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on the expressions of stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and CXC chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4) in rats with traumatic brain injury and also to discuss potential mechanism of HBO in the protection of the nerve system of the rats with TBI.Methods The experimental models of traumatic brain injury were developed by modified Feeney free-falling method.Seventy-two SD male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: the sham surgery group, the model group and the HBO group, each consisting of 24 rats.Then, in accordance with HBO intervention time, the HBO group was subdivided into the 3-day and 10-day subgroups.The rats in the HBO group received HBO therapy 24 hours after development of the model, one session a day.Recovery of the nerve system, 24 hours after development of the model, 3 and 10 days after therapy, was assessed by using Neurological Severity Scores (NSS), and neurological function recovery was compared between the groups.At the same time, samples of damaged brain tissues were taken for the detection of expression levels of SDF-1 and CXCR4 by using Western blotting.Results (1)Neurological function deficiency was not noted in the sham surgery group.There were no significant differences in neurological function deficiency scores detected 24 hours after the development of the model, when comparisons were made between the model group and the HBO group(P ＞0.05).Three and 10 days after therapy, neural function recovered gradually, with the neural function deficiency scores of the HBO group being(8.7 ± 0.4)and(4.7 ±0.6)respectively, which were obviously lower than those of the model group(10.5 ±0.6 and 6.40.6 respectively)(P ＜0.01).(2)The expressions of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in the sham surgery group were low, and there was no statistical significance in the expression levels at different time points(P ＞0.05).Three days after therapy, the expression levels of SDF-1 and CXCR4 for the model group were all significantly increased, as compared with those of the sham surgery group(P ＞ 0.05).Ten days after therapy, the expression level of SDF-1 for the model group was decreased, which tended to be the identical level of the sham surgery group(P ＞0.05).Though the expression level of CXCR4 was also decreased, it was obviously higher than that of the sham surgery group (P ＞ 0.01).Three and 10 days after therapy, the expression levels of SDF-1 and CXCR4 for the HBO group were significantly increased, as compared with those of the model group(P ＞ 0.01).Conclusions HBO therapy could accelerate neurological function recovery of the rats with TBI and promote homing of endogenous mesenchymal stem cells to the injured brain tissues by upregulating SDF-1/CXCR4 axis.

Objective To observe the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on the expressions of stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and CXC chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4) in rats with traumatic brain injury and also to discuss potential mechanism of HBO in the protection of the nerve system of the rats with TBI.Methods The experimental models of traumatic brain injury were developed by modified Feeney free-falling method.Seventy-two SD male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: the sham surgery group, the model group and the HBO group, each consisting of 24 rats.Then, in accordance with HBO intervention time, the HBO group was subdivided into the 3-day and 10-day subgroups.The rats in the HBO group received HBO therapy 24 hours after development of the model, one session a day.Recovery of the nerve system, 24 hours after development of the model, 3 and 10 days after therapy, was assessed by using Neurological Severity Scores (NSS), and neurological function recovery was compared between the groups.At the same time, samples of damaged brain tissues were taken for the detection of expression levels of SDF-1 and CXCR4 by using Western blotting.Results (1)Neurological function deficiency was not noted in the sham surgery group.There were no significant differences in neurological function deficiency scores detected 24 hours after the development of the model, when comparisons were made between the model group and the HBO group(P ＞0.05).Three and 10 days after therapy, neural function recovered gradually, with the neural function deficiency scores of the HBO group being(8.7 ± 0.4)and(4.7 ±0.6)respectively, which were obviously lower than those of the model group(10.5 ±0.6 and 6.40.6 respectively)(P ＜0.01).(2)The expressions of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in the sham surgery group were low, and there was no statistical significance in the expression levels at different time points(P ＞0.05).Three days after therapy, the expression levels of SDF-1 and CXCR4 for the model group were all significantly increased, as compared with those of the sham surgery group(P ＞ 0.05).Ten days after therapy, the expression level of SDF-1 for the model group was decreased, which tended to be the identical level of the sham surgery group(P ＞0.05).Though the expression level of CXCR4 was also decreased, it was obviously higher than that of the sham surgery group (P ＞ 0.01).Three and 10 days after therapy, the expression levels of SDF-1 and CXCR4 for the HBO group were significantly increased, as compared with those of the model group(P ＞ 0.01).Conclusions HBO therapy could accelerate neurological function recovery of the rats with TBI and promote homing of endogenous mesenchymal stem cells to the injured brain tissues by upregulating SDF-1/CXCR4 axis.