Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on hydrochloric acid-induced interstitial cystitis in rats: a histological and ultrastructural study.

INTRODUCTION

Currently no definitive cure exists for interstitial cystitis (IC). We investigated the therapeutic effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO₂) therapy in this syndrome in an experimental IC model through biochemical analyses and histopathological assessments.

METHODS

24 Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three treatment groups sham (transurethral intravesical injection with sterile distilled water), rats with IC (induced by transurethral intravesical injection with hydrochloric acid), and rats with IC + HBO₂. After completion of experiments the animals were sacrificed and their urinary bladders were removed surgically. Tissues were evaluated by light and electron microscopy. Lesion index scoring system for IC was used to evaluate vesical injury. TNF-α levels were measured by ELISA test kit.

RESULTS

Lesion index scores and TNF-α levels of the sham and IC + HBO₂ treatment groups were quite similar (p < 0.01). Although HBO₂ treatment did not show any effect in reducing the number of mast cells (p > 0.05), it reduced the mast cell activity (p < 0.05). All parameters except mitochondrial damage (p > 0.05) were improved in the IC + HBO₂ treatment group compared to the IC without HBO₂ treatment group.

CONCLUSION

HBO₂ treatment may alleviate the inflammation, may lead to a certain degree of reversal of adverse histopathological changes, and is effective in enhancing the healing process in interstitial cystitis. We believe that HBO₂ treatment may be included as a weapon in our armamentarium against IC.