The effects of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on oxidative stress and SCE frequencies in humans

Objectives: Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is a useful method for treatment of various clinical conditions but it can also cause an increased production of free radicals and oxidative DNA damage. In this study, our aim was to investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen on oxidative stress and genetic toxicity. Design and methods: Fifteen patients were exposed to HBO treatment for various pathologies related to hypoxia. Blood samples were taken before HBO therapy and at the end of the 1st, 10th and 20th HBO sessions. Antioxidant parameters and genetic toxicity were studied. Results: We have observed that an increment of lymphocyte sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequency was detected at the end of the 1st, 10th and 20th HBO sessions compared to before HBO treatment (P < 0.05). No significant difference in erythrocyte copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), selenium dependent glutathione peroxidase (SeGSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were observed at the end of the 1st HBO therapy and the prolonged HBO exposure as compared to before HBO treatment (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Our results indicate that HBO treatment did not cause significant changes on erythrocyte antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation; however, it could induce genotoxicity due to different mechanisms.