Effects of Variable Oxygenation and Gradual Withdrawal of Oxygen During the Recovery Phase in Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy: Kitten Model

摘要

The effects of two types of prolonged oxygen supplementation were tested in the kitten model of oxygen induced retinopathy. Thirty-one litters were placed in 80% oxygen for 65 h starting the 3rd day after birth to initiate a moderately severe retinopathy. One-half of each litter thereafter served as controls, remaining in room air during the development of the retinopathy. In the remaining half, the retinopathy was allowed to develop in either a variably hyperoxic/hypoxic environment (one-half of each of 16 litters) or in an oxygen environment that was gradually reduced to room air by 4 wk (one-half of each of 15 litters). The retinopathy scores in the controls were comparable in both studies and the same as in previous experience with this model. Kittens exposed to the variable oxygen recovery environment had significantly less severe retinopathy than their room air recovery littermates (p 80%). These data support the hypothesis that conditions of oxygenation during the recovery process from an acute oxygen-induced vascular injury have a significant effect on the healing process.