Antagonism of carbon monoxide-mediated brain lipid peroxidation by hyperbaric oxygen.

The effects of oxygen at 1, 2, and 3, atmospheres absolute (ATA) were assessed on brain lipid peroxidation caused by carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in a rat model. Oxygen at 3 ATA, but not 1 ATA, was found to prevent brain lipid peroxidation when administered to rats for 45 min, beginning 45 min subsequent to CO poisoning. Oxygen at 2 ATA had an intermediate effect. The action of hyperbaric oxygen could not be attributed to a more rapid diminution of carboxyhemoglobin, and appears to occur at the level of the brain tissue.