The effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on bone in spontaneously hypertensive rats

We investigated whether hyperbaric oxygenation treatment can enhance osteogenesis in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). 8-week-old SHRs were exposed to hyperbaric oxygen for 6 weeks and were killed at 17 weeks of age. Wistar-Kyoto normal rats and untreated SHRs of the same age were used as controls. Radiographic measurements of cortical thickness and length of femora showed that these parameters increased in oxygen-treaded SHRs; they became almost normal. Ash weight and ash, Ca and P content of L5 vertebras showed similar results. We conclude that high partial pressure oxygen has an effect on osteogenesis in SHRs.