We analyzed the effects of the clinical
hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on the plasma
antioxidant response and levels of
endothelin-1, Interleukine-6 (IL-6) and
vascular endothelial growth factor (
VEGF) in patients with chronic
wounds (20.2±10.0 months without healing). They received 20 HBOT sessions (five sessions/week), and blood samples were obtained at sessions 1, 5 and 20 before and 2 hours after the HBOT. An additional blood sample was collected 1 month after
wound recovery. Serum
creatine kinase activity decreased progressively in accordance with the wound healing. Plasma
catalase activity significantly increased after the first and fifth sessions of HBOT. Plasma
myeloperoxidase activity reported significantly lower values after sessions. Plasma
VEGF and
IL-6 increased after sessions.
Endothelin-1 levels were progressively decreasing during the HBOT, being significant at the session 20. Plasma
malondialdehyde concentration was significantly reduced at the last session. Both
creatine kinase activity and
malondialdehyde levels were maintained lower 1 month after
wound recovery respect to initial values. In conclusion, HBOT enhanced the plasma
antioxidant defenses and may contribute to activate the healing resolution, angiogenesis and vascular tone regulation by increasing the
VEGF and
IL-6 release and the
endothelin-1 decrease, which may be significant factors in stimulating wound healing.