Th e relation of hyperbaric oxygen with oxidative stress - reactive molecules in action

Abstract

Kemal Simsek, Serdar Sadir, Sukru Oter

It is obvious that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) administrations result in increased levels of oxidation products and a wide array of studies exist in literature reporting significant lipid peroxidation and/or protein oxidation in blood and tissues of HBO-exposed organisms. Nevertheless, in cases not exceeding the universally approved limits of this precious therapeutic modality, effective endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms are present hindering a real state of “oxidative stress.” In early 2000s, hyperoxia achieved by HBO treatments has been reported to act in a double-faceted manner: (i) The hyperoxic effect which delivers oxygen to tissues with increased demand, and (ii) the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated pathways known to be significantly elevated during HBO administrations. To date, ROS-signaling exhibits a great area in medical science opening new doors for researchers day by day. With regard to HBO, increased production of the superoxide radical followed by hydrogen peroxide seems to be the key point for its effects; the transcription factors nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha along with their main target protein heme oxygenase-1 are also involved in several mechanisms. This paper aims to briefly review some of the known interactions of HBO-triggered molecular details. By this way, we hope to attract more attention to this interesting research area in order to provide scientists a view for future projects.