Hyperbaric oxygen therapy attenuates neuronal apoptosis induced by traumatic brain injury via Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway

Abstract

Background

Given that the therapeutic effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been debated for a long time, it is necessary to clarify the mechanism underlying the effect of HBO on acute TBI.

Methods

This study investigated the effect of HBO therapy on neuronal apoptosis induced by acute TBI using the mouse model of TBI. The number of apoptotic cells and expression of apoptosis-associated factors (including caspase 3, pAkt/Akt, pGSK3β/GSK3β, and β-catenin) in pericontusional cortices of mice exposed to sham, TBI, and TBI + HBO treatment were measured and analyzed using TUNEL assay, quantitative reverse-transcription PCR, and Western blot.

Results

Results showed that acute TBI increased the number of apoptotic neurons and mRNA expression and activated caspase 3 protein. With regard to proteins, acute TBI also resulted in decreased levels of pAkt/Akt, pGSK3β/GSK3β, and β-catenin, which facilitates neuronal apoptosis. This study shows that HBO therapy reversed these changes of pAkt/Akt, pGSK3β/ GSK3β, and β-catenin induced by acute TBI and attenuated the apoptotic process in the pericontusional cortex.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the beneficial effect of HBO therapy on neuronal apoptosis caused by acute TBI. Furthermore, the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of HBO on acute TBI partly involves the Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway.

Keywords:

• hyperbaric oxygen
• TBI
• apoptosis
• Akt
• GSK3β
• β-catenin

Author contributions

Yuling He designed and managed this study. Yuling He and Hui He executed the study and selected the data. Hui He and Xiufang Li analysed the data. Hui He and Xiufang Li wrote the first draft of the manuscript. All authors contributed to data analysis, drafting and revising the article, gave final approval of the version to be published, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.