Arthritis was induced in 9-week-old female Dark Agouti rats by injecting type II collagen. Serum levels of the derivatives
of reactive oxygen metabolites (dROMs), which are oxidative stress markers, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in arthritic rats
that were exposed to a pressure of 1.25 atmospheres absolute and an oxygen concentration of 36% for 3 weeks (arthritis + HBO
group) were compared to those of control rats (control group) and arthritic rats that were not exposed to hyperbaric oxygen
(arthritis group). The body weights of the arthritis and arthritis + HBO groups were lower than that of the control group,
whereas no difference in the body weight was observed between the arthritis and arthritis + HBO groups. The serum levels of
dROMs and CRP in the arthritis group were higher than those in the control and arthritis + HBO groups. No difference in the
serum level of CRP was observed between the control and arthritis + HBO groups. These results indicate that the conditions
of hyperbaric oxygen exposure used in this study are effective for reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species, which are
overproduced during arthritis.
Keywords C-reactive protein - Derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites - Hyperbaric oxygen exposure - Rat - Reactive oxygen species - Type II collagen-induced arthritis