Hyperbaric Oxygen in the Prevention of Carbon Monoxide Induced Delayed Neurological Sequelae in Male Sprague Dawley Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

In Carbon Monoxide (CO) induced Delayed Neurological Sequelae (DNS) clinical signs develop 1 to 6 weeks after CO has cleared the body. The aim of this experiment was to develop a model of CO induced DNS which closely mimics real world conditions both in exposure and treatment. The model was challenged with hyperbaric or normobaric oxygen, or room air. Basic behaviors were measured by Open Field test on days 1, 7, 14 post exposure and treatment. No significant difference in behavior was observed between exposed and control animals or between treatment groups. Histological analyses showed no DNA or necrotic damage to the basal ganglia, cortex, or hippocampus in CO exposed animals at time of euthanasia regardless of treatment. Data suggest variability in tolerance to CO and development of DNS. Data also indicates that the in vivo COHb half-life is not constant across species