Background: We aimed to investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on bacterial translocation and acinar cell ultrastructure in a rat model of acute necrotizing pancreatitis.
Methods: Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups. Acute pancreatitis was induced in groups II and III. Groups I and II did not receive any treatment, and group III was treated with hyperbaric oxygen. All surviving animals were killed 48 h after the induction of pancreatitis. Bacterial translocation and histological and ultrastructural changes were determined.
Results: The incidence of bacterial translocation in group III was significantly lower in comparison with group II (P<0.001). Histopathological and ultrastructural injury scores were also significantly lower in group III (P<0.001 and P<0.04, respectively).
Conclusions: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy displayed beneficial effects on pancreatic superinfection and or histopathological and ultrastructural changes in experimental necrotizing pancreatitis.