THE OXIDANT EFFECTS OF HYPERBARIC OXYGENATION AND AIR POLLUTION IN ERYTHROCYTE MEMBRANES (HYPERBARIC OXYGENATION IN AIR POLLUTION)

Aim: The aim was to investigate the interactions of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) inhalation (at 10 ppm, one hour daily for 45 days) on lipoperoxidation and fragility of RBC membranes. Methods: Malonyldialdehyde (MDA) levels, osmotic fragility ratios and hematologic parameters of a total of 24 rats were compared in four different groups controls, HBO, SO2 and (HBO+SO2). HBO was applied at 3 Atm abs (303.9 kPa), 1 hour daily, for 45 days in a specifically designed exposure chamber. Results: MDA levels and osmotic fragility ratios were significantly higher in groups-B, C and D than in control group (p<.05 for all). Marked decrease in MDA levels and osmotic fragility ratios were observed in group-D (HBO+SO2) compared to groups-B and C (p<0.05). However, MDA levels and osmotic fragility ratios in group-D were also significantly higher than in group-A (p