Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to IFNγ and TNFα expression in pregnant Rattus novergicus infected with Tachyzoite of Toxoplasma gondii

Abstract

Background: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a method of increasing oxygen delivery to tissues. The therapy improves tissue oxygenation and stimulates the formation of H2 O2 as a secondary messenger for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interferon gamma (IFNγ) and nuclear factor kappa beta phosphorylation (NF-kB) which play an important role in the rapid transcription of a wide variety of genes in response to extracellular stimuli. Aim: This study aims to determine the effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy in enhancing the expressions of IFNγ and TNFα in pregnant rats infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Methods: This study is an animal study with a ‘randomized control group of post-test only design’ on 34 Rattus novergicus Sprague Dawley rats. Randomly, the rats were divided into four groups. The HBOT treatment group A is pregnant rats infected with tachyzoite received 10 sessions of HBOT 2.4 ATA in 3x30 minutes. B is Pregnant only and received 10 sessions of HBOT 2.4 ATA in 3x30 minutes. C is pregnant and infected with tachyzoite but not received HBOT. And the last, D is pregnant rats only without infection and not received HBOT. Each infected pregnant rats were given a 103 Tachyzoite of Toxoplasma gondii via intraperitoneal injection. Examinations of IFNγ and TNFα expressions were performed on day-5 after HBOT (HBOT twice a day). Rats that die or experience abortion will be eliminated while rats that still survive will be taken the blood by intracardiac technique. IFNγ and TNFα levels were measured by serum ELISA examination. Results: The results showed that the HBOT could improve IFNγ (p=0.000), TNF-α (p= 0.02) significantly in the provision of HBOT 2.4 ATA for 3x30 minutes in 10 sessions over five days of therapy. Conclusion: HBOT can improve the expressions of IFNγ and TNFα, in the provision of HBOT 2.4 ATA for 3x30 minutes, 10 times in 5 days and HBOT administration can prevent abortion in pregnant rats infected with tachyzoite T. gondii.