X-刀治疗大鼠胶质瘤的磁共振灌注成像

目的 :观察X 刀对大鼠脑胶质瘤的治疗作用 ,探讨MR灌注成像 (PWI)对X 刀治疗疗效的早期评价。方法 :2 0只SD雄性大鼠右尾状核接种C6胶质瘤细胞复制大鼠脑胶质瘤模型。治疗组 10只接种胶质瘤细胞后第 15天行X 刀治疗 ,10只对照组未行治疗 ,分别第 15天 (治疗组X 刀治疗前 )和第 17天行PWI ,计算肿瘤的相对局部脑血容量(rrCBV) ,观察治疗后肿瘤rrCBV的变化率 ,并与荷瘤鼠存活期进行回归分析。结果 :肿瘤接种成功率为 10 0 %。治疗组治疗后 48h肿瘤的rrCBV明显减小 ,其下降百分比平均为 3 5 .8%。对照组和治疗组大鼠生存期分别为 2 2 .8和 3 0 .5d ,两组间差异有显著意义。X 刀治疗后肿瘤rrCBV的下降百分比与大鼠生存期密切相关 (r =0 .82 ,P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :X 刀治疗能延长荷胶质瘤大鼠生存期 ,PWI能在治疗后早期判断愈后     

γ刀治疗大鼠脑胶质瘤后脑内和外周血TNF-α和IL-1β的表达

目的γ刀治疗脑胶质瘤后，观察脑内及外周血中TNF-α和IL-1β表达变化，探讨神经免疫调节在立体定向放射外科治疗中的作用。方法成年雄性SD大鼠20只分4组，正常对照组（N组）、正常大鼠γ刀治疗组（NR组）、肿瘤对照组（T组）和肿瘤γ刀治疗组（TR组）。NR组和TR组大鼠于照射后14d，与各组大鼠进行脑组织TNF-α和IL-1βmRNA原位杂交和外周血TNF-α、IL-1β含量测定。结果（1）原位杂交结果显示：N和NR组大鼠脑内有少量TNF-α和IL-1β的mRNA表达，表现为大脑皮质、下丘脑核团等部位有少量弱阳性细胞散在分布。T组大鼠脑内阳性细胞面密度较N组和NR组升高（P〈0．01），肿瘤区可见大量强阳性的胶质细胞和单核细胞浸润。TR组大鼠与T组相比，肿瘤区及周围脑区阳性细胞面密度明显增加（P〈0．01）。（2）方差分析显示：TR组和T组大鼠外周血TNF-α和IL-1β含量显著高于N组和NR组，TR组高于T组（P〈0．01）。结论脑胶质瘤大鼠γ刀治疗后，脑内TNF-α和IL-1βmRNA表达较治疗前增多，外周血TNF-α和IL-1β含量升高，这些变化可能与γ刀照射后胶质瘤大鼠体内免疫状态改变有关。     

大鼠C6胶质瘤CT灌注成像

目的:研究C6胶质瘤CT灌注成像灌注参数与CD105-MVD、VEGF、血管成熟指数和Ki67的相关性,探讨CT灌注参数在C6胶质瘤血管生成中的价值。方法:雄性SD大鼠16只,随机分为肿瘤组和对照组各8只。大鼠通过立体定向仪于鼠脑右侧尾状核区种植C6胶质瘤细胞复制大鼠脑胶质瘤模型。大鼠C6胶质瘤组行CT灌注检查。灌注成像以尾状核层面为中心。采用Philips CT自带脑灌注软件处理后产生灌注曲线及伪彩图像。检查结束后24h内,处死大鼠并取脑固定,进行免疫组化检查CD105-MVD、FⅧ-MVD、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白-MVD、VEGF和Ki67。应用SPSS17.0进行统计分析。应用独立样本t检验比较实验组与对照组的灌注参数差异有无统计学意义。灌注参数与CD105-MVD、VEGF、VMI和Ki67之间的相关性用Pearson相关分析。结果:C6胶质瘤CT灌注成像CBF、CBV和通透性参数均升高(P<0.05)。Pearson相关分析显示,通透性、CBV、CBF与免疫组化的CD105-MVD、VEGF、VMI和Ki67之间存在明显相关性。结论:C6胶质瘤CT灌注成像获得的CBF、CBV和通透性等参数可以一定程度上反映胶质瘤肿瘤血管生成情况。     

Wistar大鼠C6脑胶质瘤晚期阶段模型的建立及MR成像

目的 建立稳定可靠的Wistar大鼠晚期阶段C6脑胶质瘤模型并研究其MR成像特点.方法 采用随机数字表将22只Wistar大鼠分成实验组17只,对照组5只.通过立体定向技术,将C6细胞接种至实验组大鼠右侧尾状核区,对照组大鼠在相同部位注射全培养液.接种后3～4周对相应大鼠进行磁共振扫描和病理观察.结果 15只肿瘤细胞接种大鼠和1只于15 d死亡大鼠在随后病理检查中证实有肿瘤形成,接种成功率100%.对照组大鼠均存活,未见肿瘤形成.磁共振扫描显示大鼠C6胶质瘤为长T1 、长T2 信号,T2Flair像为高信号,增强后肿瘤强化明显,呈均匀强化或环状强化,T13DIRFSPGR序列立体地显示了肿瘤大小、毗邻和内部结构等信息.术后经病理证实肿瘤细胞接种后3～4周存在瘤周水肿和/或肿瘤细胞浸润.结论 Wistar大鼠C6脑胶质瘤模型稳定可靠,磁共振检查可以准确地定位瘤体和瘤周水肿.     

脑扭转痉挛的X刀治疗

立体定向术损毁丘脑VL后部和苍白球治疗扭转痉挛已有近50余年的历史，早期γ刀治疗脑功能性疾病，使用气脑造影控制定位，治疗有效率低。近年来采用CT、MRI靶点定位，γ刀损毁苍白球等脑功能性核团治疗运动障碍性疾病取得显著疗效。但γ刀辐射半径较大，不利于分次治疗，使治疗受到一定限制。笔者首次应用X刀分次损毁苍白球治疗扭转痉挛病人12例。2～24个月随访，治疗效果满意，报告如下。     

激光间质内热疗联合顺铂治疗大鼠脑胶质瘤的实验研究

目的　评价激光间质内热疗(ILTT)联合顺铂治疗大鼠脑恶性胶质瘤的效果。 方法　SD大鼠64只,尾状核接种C6鼠胶质瘤细胞14天后,随机分为对照组（不接受治疗）、顺铂治疗组、ILTT组、ILTT联合顺铂治疗组,每组16只。每组中10只留作观察生存时间（观察期40天）,6只于治疗后第7天测量肿瘤最大横径。顺铂治疗时大鼠尾静脉注射顺铂1μg/g,2天1次,共计3次。ILTT治疗时将Nd∶YAG激光经光导纤维导入肿瘤区,激光波长1.06μm,功率1.5W,时间120s,间隔120s,共计2次。 结果　（1）大鼠平均生存时间对照组26.1d±3.6d,顺铂组27.3d±3.9d,ILTT组30.4d±5.3d,联合治疗组34.4d±4.0d。联合治疗组与对照组及顺铂组比较,差异有显著意义（P＜0.05）。（2）肿瘤最大横径对照组6.2mm±0.2mm,顺铂组 6.2mm±0.1mm,ILTT组4.8mm±0.2mm,联合治疗组4.9mm±0.1mm。 结论　激光间质内热疗联合顺铂治疗对大鼠脑胶质瘤有较强的抗肿瘤效果。     

大鼠脑胶质瘤伽玛刀治疗后细胞增殖和凋亡的变化

目的：探讨大鼠脑胶质瘤模型伽玛刀治疗后细胞凋亡水平和增殖活性时程变化，方法：将接种C6胶质瘤细胞的120只大鼠分为空白对照组和伽玛刀治疗组，于治疗后不同时程行流式细胞学检测和增殖细胞核抗原（PCNA）免疫组织化学研究，观察其细胞凋亡和增殖情况，结果：伽玛刀治疗后肿瘤细胞凋亡率较对照组显著提高（P＜0．01），并于伽玛刀照射后48h达到高峰。随时间逐渐下降；治疗组肿瘤内PCNA阳性细胞数量较对照组显著下降（P＜0．05），随时间PCNA阳性细胞数量逐渐减少，结论：大鼠脑胶质瘤伽玛刀治疗后除细胞坏死外，肿瘤细胞增殖水平下降和细胞凋亡也是伽玛刀治疗胶质瘤的机理之一。     

大鼠C6脑胶质瘤MR灌注成像初探

目的　建立大鼠C6脑胶质瘤模型 ,初步探讨磁共振灌注成像 (MRPWI)用于实验性脑胶质瘤研究的可行性。材料与方法　 15只荷瘤大鼠随机分成三组 ,每组 5只。用立体定向技术将C6细胞接种在大鼠的右侧尾状核建立模型。MRPWI对比剂剂量分别为 0 .2mmol/kg体重 (第一组 )、0 .4mmol/kg体重 (第二组 )和 0 .6mmol/kg体重(第三组 )。根据PWI时间 信号强度曲线计算rCBV、SRRmax、QrCBV和QSRRmax值。结果　三组大鼠肿瘤组织rCBV和SRRmax值皆大于正常脑组织 (P <0 .0 1)。三组大鼠QrCBV分别为 1.77± 0 .12 (第一组 )、2 .0 7± 0 .17(第二组 )和 1.36±0 .10 (第三组 ) ,第二组大于第一组 (P <0 .0 1) ,第三组小于第一组 (P <0 .0 1)。三组大鼠QSRRmax分别为 1.4 8± 0 .2 5(第一组 )、1.6 9± 0 .18(第二组 )和 1.18± 0 .0 6 (第三组 ) ,第三组小于第一组 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,然而第二组与第一组之间无显著性差异。结论　MRPWI可用作研究大鼠C6脑胶质瘤 ,其中对比剂剂量以 0 .2～ 0 .4mmol/kg体重为宜     

大鼠C6胶质瘤抗血管生成治疗的MR灌注研究

目的　利用大鼠C6脑胶质瘤模型 ,观察抗血管生成治疗的疗效 ,探讨MR灌注成像在胶质瘤抗血管生成治疗早期疗效评价中的应用价值。方法　SD雄性大鼠 30只 ,右尾状核接种C6胶质瘤细胞复制大鼠脑胶质瘤模型。接种胶质瘤细胞后第 15天 ,分别予以立体定向放射外科治疗 (中心剂量 2 5Gy)和重组人内皮抑制素皮下注射 (5、10和 2 0mg·Kg-1·d-13种剂量 ,共 7d) ,于治疗前和治疗后 4 8h进行MR灌注成像及常规扫描 ,观察肿瘤与正常脑组织的相对脑血流容积 (rCBV)值的改变 ,计算肿瘤体积 ,以肿瘤抑制作为疗效评价的形态学标准。结果　 3种剂量的内皮抑制素治疗结束时肿瘤平均体积分别为 (42 9 0± 36 7)mm3 、(30 5 7± 32 8)mm3 和 (2 77 0± 2 0 6 )mm3 ,立体定向放射外科治疗组第 2 2天时肿瘤体积为 (390 0± 33 8)mm3 ,与对照组 (5 6 6 7± 135 0 )mm3 比较差异均存在显著性意义 (P =0 0 31) ;3种剂量的内皮抑制素治疗后肿瘤的rCBV分别为 1 5 7± 0 12 ,1 30± 0 12和1 2 4± 0 0 8,立体定向放射外科治疗后肿瘤的rCBV为 1 2 3± 0 2 3。各组rCBV和治疗前相比 ,差异均存在显著性意义 (P <0 0 0 1) ,低剂量内皮抑制素治疗组和中、高剂量治疗组相比差异存在显著性意义(P <0 0 0     

脑胶质瘤细胞辐射敏感性参数选择对立体定向放射治疗的影响

立体定向放射治疗(stereotactic radiotherapy,SRT)作为三维适形放射治疗(3dimensional conformal radiation therapy,3DCRT)的特殊形式是目前脑胶质瘤的主要放疗方式,其物理学概念是应用立体定向技术,多以6 MV X射线对胶质瘤进行高精度照射,治疗方式已日趋成熟,但是与之相配合的生物基础方面的研究相对薄弱,制约放疗效果.以往胶质瘤细胞系辐射试验大都采用60 Co深部x射线或γ线,剂量率低、照射时间长、易污染[1-2].本研究以人胶质母细胞瘤细胞系U87和鼠C6胶质瘤细胞系为标本,利用直线加速器6 MV X射线进行照射,测定细胞增殖能力,旨在为脑胶质瘤立体定向放射治疗提供生物学依据.     

锰离子增强 MRI 在大鼠视觉中枢核团立体定位中的运用

目的：探索锰离子增强磁共振成像(MEMRI)在大鼠视觉中枢核团立体定位中的价值。方法 SD 大鼠36只,分成3组。A 组(1 6只)使用 MEMRI 定位法;B 组(1 6只)使用传统解剖图谱定位;C 组(4只)使用 A 组所取得的数据定位并穿刺中枢核团。A 组定位方法为提前在单侧眼球内注射氯化锰(MnCL2)水溶液(30 mmol/L×3μL),24 h 后行 MRI 确定对侧上丘、外侧膝状体位置;B 组为根据图谱确定上述核团位置。随后,A、B 2组均经颅骨穿刺视觉核团后,注入3%荧光金溶液1μL,5 d 后处死大鼠并取出视网膜铺片,在荧光显微镜下观察视网膜神经节细胞(RGCs)标记情况。C 组则根据 A 组中取得的定位数据确定核团位置,穿刺并注射 MnCL2溶液(30 mmol/L×0.5μL)1 h 后,使用 MRI 观察强化区域,直接验证 MEMRI 定位数据的可靠性。结果 A 组RGCs 标记成功15只(93.8%),B 组 RGCs 标记成功10只(62.5%)。A 组的成功率高于 B 组(P =0.041,<0.05)。C 组 4只均准确命中核团。结论 MEMRI 在大鼠的视觉中枢核团立体定位中可提高定位准确性。     

立体定向放射治疗胰腺癌

目的 对立体定向放射治疗胰腺癌的临床意义进行评价。方法 对16例胰腺癌患者行立体定向放射治疗,病变体积26.5~116.5cm3,肿瘤边缘单次剂量为3~5Gy,治疗10~20次,每日1次,每周治疗5次,治疗后临床和影像手段随访。结果 治疗有效率(完全缓解+部分缓解)为81.2%,合并疼痛患者均有不同程度缓解,6/7患者黄疸消除,生存质量明显改善,中位生存期11个月,死亡原因多为远处转移;治疗副作用根据RTOG标准评价,68.7%患者有轻度早期反应,1例重度晚期反应。结论 立体定向放射治疗胰腺癌是有效的局部控制手段,可明显的缓解症状,改善患者生存质量,并且治疗的并发症可以被临床接受,但肿瘤的远处转移是影响患者生存的主要问题。     

Glioblastoma multiforme: MR imaging at 1.5 and 9.4 T after injection of polylysine-DTPA-Gd in rats

Polylysine-DTPA-Gd, a new MR contrast agent, was injected into the aorta of rats 7 days after C6 glioblastoma was implanted in their brains; MR imaging was performed 3 days later. The imaging was done at two field strengths: (1) 1.5 T with a 3-mm slice thickness and in-plane resolutions of 600 microns and (2) 9.4 T with a 125- or 500-microns slice thickness and in-plane resolutions of 95 microns. In animals injected with polylysine-DTPA-Gd (1 microgram or more per rat), the T1-weighted images and mixed T1, T2 images of the C6 glioblastoma revealed a higher signal intensity at the marginal region between tumor and normal brain than that seen in surrounding normal brain. The central tumor region had a low signal intensity. The concentration of Gd in the C6 glioblastoma, after injection of 1 microgram polylysine-DTPA-Gd per rat, was calculated to be 0.14 mumol/l. The central tumor region also had a low signal intensity in animals that were not injected with the contrast agent, but the margin between tumor and normal brain was resolved poorly, if at all. The polylysine-DTPA-Gd revealed the microvasculature of the C6 glioblastoma in the 125-micron-thick slices obtained at 9.4 T. This is the first study to reveal the utility of the 9.4-T MR imager for examination of glioblastomas in situ and to demonstrate the utility of polylysine-DTPA-Gd as a contrast agent for the definition of the margin between glioblastoma and normal brain tissue.     

DWIBS监测血管生成抑制剂内皮抑素治疗兔肝VX2肿瘤移植模型疗效

目的:探讨磁共振背景信号抑制弥散加权体部成像(MR DWIBS)在经静脉注射血管生成抑制剂内皮抑素治疗兔肝VX2肿瘤移植模型疗效评价中的作用。方法:荷瘤兔随机分为2组,每组8只。对照组经耳缘静脉注射生理盐水10ml/d,连续应用12d;内皮抑素组经耳缘静脉每日注射内皮抑素0.7mg/kg体质量,连续应用12d。2组均于治疗前后行MRDWIBS检查,分别测量各组肿瘤组织在不同时间点的表观弥散系数,并评价DWIBS及DWIBS原始图经3D MIP重建及黑白翻转获得类PET图像的图像特征。结果:ADC值从治疗后第3天起即有变化,在治疗后第3、7、13天内皮抑素组的ADC值均高于对照组,且ADC值差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:DWIBS可以在治疗早期动态评价静脉注射血管生成抑制剂内皮抑素对兔肝VX2肿瘤移植模型的疗效。DWIBS结合ADC值的定量测量及类PET大范围成像,可以无创性活体评价药物抗肿瘤的治疗反应,为肿瘤的诊断、分期、疗效评价提供有价值的信息。     

Radioimmunotherapy targeting the extra domain B of fibronectin in C6 rat gliomas: a preliminary study about the therapeutic efficacy of iodine-131-labeled SIP(L19)

Despite aggressive treatment protocols, patients suffering from glioblastoma multiforme still experience poor outcome. Therefore, new adjuvant therapeutic options such as radioimmunotherapy (RIT) have been studied and have resulted in significant survival benefit. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of a novel radioimmunotherapeutic approach targeting the extra domain B (EDB) of fibronectin, a marker of angiogenesis, in glioma-bearing rats. METHODS: C6 gliomas were induced intracerebrally in Wistar rats. Ten to 11 days later, 220-360 MBq of iodine-131-labeled anti-EDB SIP(L19) ("small immunoprotein") was administered intravenously into nine animals, yielding a radiation dose of 13-21 Gy. Another nine rats served as controls. Then the following parameters were compared: median survival time, tumor size and histology. RESULTS: Histological examination of the tumors revealed typical glioblastoma characteristics. Eleven of 18 rats developed a tumor size bigger than 150 mm(3). When these animals were used for survival analysis, median survival did significantly differ between groups [22 days (therapy; n=7) vs. 16 days (control; n=4); P<.0176]. CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary trial, (131)I-SIP(L19)-RIT showed promising potential in treating C6 gliomas, warranting further studies. However, larger trials with preferentially higher doses are needed to confirm this finding and, potentially, to further increase the efficacy of this treatment.     

脑红蛋白修饰的骨髓间充质干细胞在促红细胞生成素治疗大鼠急性脊髓损伤中的作用

目的探讨脑红蛋白(neuroglobin,Ngb)修饰的骨髓间充质干细胞(bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,BMSCs)在促红细胞生成素(erythropoietin,EPO)治疗大鼠急性脊髓损伤中的作用。方法清洁级雄性SD大鼠36只(湖南斯莱克景达实验动物有限公司),体重250~300g。随机分为3组,各12只,建立脊髓损伤模型后不予以特殊处理(不处理组);在建立脊髓损伤模型术后30min予以腹腔注射EPO治疗(EPO组);在脊髓损伤模型造模后立即予以10μL Ngb修饰的BMSCs悬液局部注射,造模术后30min予以腹腔注射EPO(BMSCs悬液局部注射组)。统计分析造模后3、7d的脊髓损伤行为学评分、脊髓组织细胞凋亡率以及血清肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α与白介素(IL)-6、脊髓组织丙二醛(MDA)水平。结果BMSCs悬液局部注射组造模后3、7d的脊髓损伤行为学评分(BBB)[(5.33±0.77)分、(6.72±0.81)分]显著高于EPO组与不处理组[(5.18±0.80)分、(5.87±0.82)分和(4.09±0.77)分、(5.47±0.89)分,P<0.05],EPO组造模后7d的BBB评分显著高于不处理组(P<0.05)。BMSCs悬液局部注射组造模后3、7d的脊髓组织细胞凋亡率均显著高于EPO组与不处理组(P<0.05),造模后7d EPO组与不处理组对比差异亦有统计学意义(P<0.05)。EPO组与BMSCs悬液局部注射组造模后3、7d的血清肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α、白介素(IL)-6、脊髓组织丙二醛(MDA)水平均显著低于不处理组(P<0.05),BMSCs悬液局部注射组造模后7d的MDA表达水平显著低于EPO组(P<0.05)。结论Ngb修饰的BMSCs在EPO治疗大鼠急性脊髓损伤中的应用能抑制炎症因子的表达与脂质过氧化,抑制细胞凋亡,从而促进神经功能的恢复。     

Use of stereotactic PET images in dosimetry planning of radiosurgery for brain tumors: clinical experience and proposed classification.

We developed a technique that allows the routine integration of PET in stereotactic neurosurgery, including radiosurgery. We report our clinical experience with the combined use of metabolic (i.e., PET) and anatomic (i.e., MRI and CT) images for the radiosurgical treatment of brain tumors. We propose a classification describing the relative role of the information provided by PET in this multimodality image-guided approach. METHODS: Between December 1999 and March 2003, 57 patients had stereotactic PET as part of their image acquisition for the planning of gamma knife radiosurgery. Together with stereotactic MRI and CT, stereotactic PET images were acquired on the same day using either (18)F-FDG or (11)C-methionine. PET images were imported in the planning software for the radiosurgery dosimetry, and the target volume was defined using the combined information of PET and MRI or CT. To analyze the specific contribution of the PET findings, we propose a classification that reflects the strategy used to define the target volume. RESULTS: The patients were offered radiosurgery with PET guidance when their tumor was ill-defined and we anticipated some limitation of target definition on MRI alone. This represents 10% of the radiosurgery procedures performed in our center during the same period of time. There were 40 primary brain lesions, 7 metastases, and 10 pituitary adenomas. Abnormal PET uptake was found in 62 of 72 targets (86%), and this information altered significantly the MRI-defined tumor in 43 targets (69%). CONCLUSION: The integration of PET in radiosurgery provides additional information that opens new perspectives for the optimization of the treatment of brain tumors.     

不同压力高压氧治疗对大鼠脊髓损伤后细胞凋亡的影响

目的 观察不同压力的高压氧(HBO)对大鼠脊髓损伤(spinal cord injury,SCI)后细胞凋亡的影响,探讨HBO治疗SCI的最佳压力.方法 90只SD大鼠采用Allen's打击法造成SCI后随机分为5组:对照组(A组)、0.15 MPa HBO组(B组)、0.20 MPa HBO组(C组)、0.22 MPa HBO组(D组)和0.25 MPa HBO组(E组).损伤后第3、7、14天分别对5组大鼠进行取材,采用Tunel法检测凋亡细胞,光镜下观察,并对结果进行统计学分析;神经功能评价采用开放场地实验评估大鼠后腿运动功能(BBB评分).结果 与A组比较,HBO各压力组在3个时间点凋亡的细胞数有所减少,神经功能有所改善,且差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).与B组比较,C、D和E组凋亡的细胞数有所减少,BBB评分改善,且差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).与C组比较,E组于第3和第7天的差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);第14天的差异无统计学意义(P＞O.05).结论 HBO能抑制SCI后细胞的凋亡,其作用在一定范围内与压力的升高相关.

Abstract：

Objective To study the effects of HBO at different pressures on apoptosis following spinal cord injury in rats and also to investigate ideal pressure value of hyperbaric oxygen(HBO) on spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods The SCI model was established with Allen's weight dropping by using 90 SD rats. Then, the animals were randomly divided into 5 groups following SCI: the control group ( group A); the HBO treatment group at 0. 15 Mpa (group B); the HBO treatment group at 0. 20MPa (group C); the HBO treatment group at 0. 22 Mpa ( group D); the HBO treatment group at 0.25 Mpa ( group E). Segments of injured spinal cord were collected from the animals of the 5 groups for studies on the 3rd, 7th, and 14th days after injury. The apoptosis cells were labeled with Tunel and the neurologic function of the spinal cord was assessed in the open field ( the BBB score ). Results The number of Tunel - positive cells decreased considerably and the BBB score improved significantly in all the animals of the HBO groups when compared with those of group A ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). Same results were found when the group C, group D and group E were compared with group B, with statistical significance( P ＜0. 05). The number of Tunel-positive cells were decreased considerably and the BBB score improved significantly on 3rd and 7th days in group E, when compared with those of group C( P ＜ 0. 05 ), with statistical significance( P ＜ 0. 05 ). However, no statistical significance could be noted on the 14th day (P ＜0.05). Conclusions HBO could inhibit apoptosis in rats following spinal cord injury, which might be correlated with the increase of pressure within a certain range.