Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) is a
transcription factor specifically activated by
hypoxia. Activation of proapoptotic
caspase-9 and
caspase-3 pathways, by binding with
tumor suppressor p53, HIF-1alpha could lead to harmful actions such as apoptosis. We examined whether increasing
oxygen levels by hyperbaric
oxygen (HBO) offers neuroprotection, at least partially by suppression of HIF-1alpha and apoptotic genes. Male SD rats (n = 78) were randomly divided into 13 groups: 1
sham group, 6 groups of global
ischemia-
hypotension (GI), and 6 groups of HBO treatment after global
ischemia-
hypotension (GI + HBO). HBO (3 ATA for 2 h) was applied at 1 h after global
ischemia-
hypotension. Rats were sacrificed at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 96 h and 7 days. Global
ischemia-
hypotension (10 min
ischemia, 30-35 mm Hg) produced a marked increase of HIF-1alpha expressions in the hippocampus and cortex at 6 h and peaked at 48-96 h. The expressions of p53,
caspase-9, and
caspase-3 were all increased in a similar time course. These molecular changes were accompanied by massive cell loss in the hippocampal regions and to a lesser degree in the cortex, with features of apoptosis. HBO treatment reduced expressions of HIF-1alpha, p53,
caspase-9, and
caspase-3 and decreased cell death. The
protein levels of proapoptotic
caspase-8 and antiapoptotic bcl-2 were increased after global
ischemia-
hypotension and HBO potentiated the expression of
caspase-8 and decreased expression of bcl-2. These results indicate that HBO has multiple actions on apoptotic genes even though the overall effect of HBO was decreased HIF-1alpha expression and reduced apoptosis after global
ischemia-
hypotension.