The effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on the synthesis of collagen in irradiated skin
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Date
1978
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Abstract
Ten littermate miniature swine were used to determine the effect of a 2 week course of hyperbaric oxygenation applied immediately after an administered dose of 1800 rad of X-rays on the total collagen content, collagen synthesis rate and subcutaneous oxygen tension in irradiated and nonirradiated skin. Half of them received hyperbaric oxygenation and half were maintained on normal air at ambient pressure. The oxygen treated group had significantly lower total mature collagen content (P<.01) and collagen synthesis rate (p<.05) in the irradiated skin than in the nonirradiated skin at 240 days after X-ray exposures. The group on normal air showed no differences in collagen content, collagen synthesis rate and subcutaneous oxygen tension between irradiated and nonirradiated skin. Early changes in collagen content and rate of synthesis occurred in both treatment groups and were time-related. It is suggested that this reflects regular periodic changes in fibroblastic activity, possibly related to hair growth cycles. An apparent reduction in the number of open capillaries in the dermis of the irradiated-oxygenated skin was observed. This difference in vascularity could not be correlated with any alteration in oxygenation of the skin, as no differences were observed in the subcutaneous oxygen tension. The structure of the collagen and the collagen-producing cells showed no visible changes associated with either radiation or oxygenation. The interaction of hyperbaric oxygen with the radiation effects is thought to have occurred at the level of oxidative metabolism during the period shortly following radiation injury. Comparison of this data with the published effects of hyperbaric oxygen on connective tissue components leads to the conclusion that oxygen has multiple complex effects on radiation damaged tissue. It potentiates the primary radiation effects as well as enhancing the ability of stimulated fibroblasts to produce mature collagen. The time frame during which the net effect of the administered oxygen begins to favor repair over breakdown remains to be determined. This study revealed that a course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy begun 24 hours after irradiation would have no prophylactic value in the prevention of dermal radionecrosis.
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Collagen, Hyperbaric oxygenation, Biology