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

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-alpha (TNF-alpha), 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 0.1 ml 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-alpha, 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-alpha, 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.