Open Access

ARTICLE

Whole blood pro-inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules post-lipopolysaccharides exposure in hyperbaric conditions

George Fildissis, Kyriaki Venetsanou, Pavlos Myrianthefs, Stylianos Karatzas, Vasilios Zidianakis, George Baltopoulos

Athens University School of Nursing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Unit and Intensive Care Unit at ‘KAT’ General Hospital, Athens 14561, Greece

* Corresponding Author: George Fildissis, fi

European Cytokine Network 2004, 15(3), 217-221.

Accepted 18 May 2004;

Abstract

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is a therapeutic intervention with applications in a large variety of diseases, including traumatic injuries and acute or chronic infections. The presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines regulates certain factors including adhesion molecules, which play a significant role in HBO effects.
We have investigated the effect of HBO on pro-inflammatory cytokine release [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 and 8 (IL-6 and IL-8)], and the regulation of adhesion molecules [soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular adhesion molecule (sVCAM)] after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in 16 healthy individuals, originating from an urban area. A total number of 64 samples were treated, divided into four groups: Group A: not stimulated with LPS and not exposed to HBO. Group B: stimulated with LPS and not exposed to HBO. Group C: not stimulated with LPS and exposed to HBO. Group D: stimulated with LPS and exposed to HBO. The LPS stimulation dose was 100 pg/ml for 0.1ml whole blood diluted 1:10. After incubation, samples were exposed to HBO with 100% O₂ at 2.4 atmospheres absolute (ATA) for 90 min. TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 and sICAM-1, sVCAM levels were determined in culture supernatant, with ELISA. We observed an enhanced effect of LPS stimulation following exposure to HBO, which caused an increase in cytokine production (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8), a reduction in sICAM, and no change to sVCAM, while their levels without stimulation remained almost invariable. The decrease in sICAM levels could be related to the increased levels of IL-8, as the production of this chemokine is involved in the regulation of adhesion molecules.

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