Effects Of Oxygen Preconditioning On Seasickness In Rats And Its Mechanism

Objective To investigate the effects of hypoxic preconditioning(HPC) and hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning(HBOPC) on seasickness in rats and its mechanism. Methods We observed the impact of HPC on the behavioral index of seasickness in rats and on some trace element concentrations in its regional brains and serum. Correlations between seasickness behavior and trace element levels in these tissues were analyzed. Then we supplied these trace element and observed its anti-seasickness effect. Some enzyme activities associated with these trace element were determined. We also investigated the anti-seasickness effects of HBOPC and its mechanism. Results HPC increased kaolin intake in rats and further reduced the iron and copper levels in those regional brains. Correlations between them were revealed. Supplement of iron and copper decreased kaolin intake, increased iron and copper levels and ameliorated these enzyme activities in brain. HBOPC reduced kaolin intake and improved antioxidant enzyme activities without impact the iron and copper levels. Conclusions HPC may deteriorate the severity of seasickness in rats. It might because HPC further reduce the iron and copper levels in brain which have already decreased during seasickness. Supplement of iron and copper could ameliorate the symptoms of seasickness in rats. The possible mechanisms involve that it increases the iron and copper levels and improve the activities of these enzymes in brain. The finding suggests that iron and copper metabolism in regional brains may play an important role in the development of seasickness. HBOPC also could relieve the symptoms of seasickness, but it might not impact the iron and copper levels in brain. These finding indicates that HBOPC might exhibit its anti-seasickness effect through other mechanisms.