Histological Study on the Therapeutic Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on the Changes of Cardiac Muscle Induced by Methanol in Wistar Strain of White Rats
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction: Methanol is a toxic substance that can cause severe health effects and mortality for humans when consumed. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that up to 320,000 children aged 15 to 29 dies from methanol poisoning every year worldwide. Methanol intoxication leads to hypoxic cycles, ischemic tissue damage, and significant organ injury, especially to the heart. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been explored as a potential treatment to counteract hypoxia and improve tissue repair. Aim of the Work: This study aimed to analyze the effects of HBOT on histological changes in cardiac muscle cells of Wistar rats exposed to methanol. Material and Methods: An experimental study was conducted using male Wistar rats aged 2–3 months and weighing 150–250 g. Rats were divided into three groups: Group I (Control Group without methanol or HBOT, Group II (Treatment Group I received methanol only for 14 days), and Group III (Treatment Group II received methanol for 14 days followed by HBOT for 10 days). Cardiac tissues were processed for hematoxylin-eosin staining, observed under x100 and x400 magnification, and scored for histological damage. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Histological analysis revealed significant differences between groups (p < 0.00001). The Control Group (Group I) predominantly showed normal cardiac cells (grade 0). Group II demonstrated severe damage (grade 3), including contraction band necrosis and pyknotic nuclei in more than 50% of the field. Group III showed improvement with mild damage (grade 1), with contraction band necrosis and <25% pyknotic nuclei, indicating partial restoration of cardiac tissue. Conclusion: HBOT significantly reduced methanol-induced cardiac histological damage in Wistar rats. These findings suggest HBOT plays a crucial role in improving post-ischemic tissue repair, enhancing cardiac contractility, and mitigating hypoxia-related injury.
Language: English
Subfield: Emergency Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7222877439