Oxygen Inhalation Improves Survival Time of Mice with Acute Intra-abdominal Hypertension and Protects Liver Cells

… 9. Data Collection and Statistical Analyses. A noninvasive pulse-blood oxygen monitor
(MouseOx, STARR, Oakmont, PA) for small animals used to determine the survival of mice
at high IAP was represented as mean values ± standard deviations. …
Objective
The objectives of this study were to establish a mouse model of sustainable, stable acute intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH), seeking to observe the survival time and liver functions at different intra-abdominal pressures (IAP), and to investigate changes after oxygen therapy.
Methods
Sixty Kunming mice were assigned to 4 groups with an average of 15, 20, 30, or 40 cmH2O IAP. The 40 cmH2O group seemed to be appropriate for follow-up experiments. The 45 mice added to the cohort were assigned into 3 groups administered an average of 50%, 80%, and 100% O2, respectively. Liver and blood samples were used to compare the rates of apoptosis using the TUNEL assay as well as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST); Caspase-3, 9, MDA, and SOD concentrations.
Results
Most animals in the 15 and 20 cmH2O groups survived 8 hours. The average survival for the 30 and 40 cmH2O groups were 4.54 ± 0.54 hours and 2.04 ± 0.44 hours, respectively (P < .01). As the oxygen concentration increased, the survival time was prolonged among the 40 cmH2O IAP group (P < .01), and the member of apoptotic hepatic cells decreased (P < .01), with a concomittent decrease in caspase 3 and 9 as well as malondialdehyde, although superoxide dismutase showed the opposite results. Conclusion The present work using a mouse model for acute IAH showed oxygen inhalation to improve host survival and protect liver cells.