The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the adverse effects of octreotide on wound healing

Objective Octreotide, a long-acting somatostatin analogue, has been used in the treatment of various disorders. Octreotide has significant detrimental impacts upon wound healing. We tested the hypothesis that hyperbaric oxygen therapy may overcome octreotide-mediated suppression of wound healing. Design Prospective, randomised, parallel-group animal study. Methods Operated rats were divided into four groups: (1) controls, (2) octreotide therapy, (3) hyperbaric oxygen therapy and (4) combination of octreotide and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Wound healing was assessed by breaking-strength measurements, hydroxyproline levels and fibrosis scores. Results Octreotide decreased the breaking-strength measurements, hydroxyproline levels and fibrosis scores to 72%, 88% and 55%, respectively, of the control group. In the combination group, hyperbaric oxygen therapy increased breaking-strength measurements and hydroxyproline levels to 137% and 126%, respectively, of the control group. In the combination group, hyperbaric oxygen therapy tended to increase the fibrosis scores to 111 % of the control group, but without statistical significance. Conclusion Hyperbaric oxygen therapy tends to reverse the octreotide-induced impairment of wound healing. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 16:475-478 (C) 2004 Lippincott Williams Wilkins.