Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) and ozone therapy (OT) on ischemia-reperfusion injury in Sprague-Dawley rat rectus abdominis muscle (RAM) flaps through the analysis of oxidative stress markers. METHODS: This experimental study involved 36 adult Sprague-Dawley rats divided into five groups: HBO, OT, HBO + OT, Control, and Sham. Ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced in RAM flaps for 4 h. Levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in serum samples on the 1st and 7th days using the ELISA method. RESULTS: SOD levels increased significantly on the 7th day in the HBO + OT group (p = 0.044). MPO levels were significantly elevated in the Sham and Control groups by day 7 (p = 0.049, p = 0.025). MDA levels increased significantly in the Control, OT, and HBO groups on day 7 (p = 0.028). While HBO and OT reduced oxidative stress, the combined HBO + OT therapy appeared to elevate oxidative stress markers over time. CONCLUSION: HBO and OT therapies show individual efficacy in reducing oxidative stress during ischemia-reperfusion injury. While both therapies reduced oxidative damage, combining them might offer additional protection.