Hyperbaric oxygen suppresses stemness-associated properties and Nanog and oncostatin M expression, but upregulates β-catenin in orthotopic glioma models

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore whether initial hyperbaric oxygen treatment affects the stemness of glioma stem cells using an in vivo basal ganglia glioma model. METHODS: A basal ganglia glioma rat model was established. Rats were exposed to normal oxygen or hyperbaric oxygen on days 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12. After 16 days of glioma cell inoculation, western blot, ELISA, and flow cytometry were performed to examine stemness-associated properties by examining the expression of CD133, A2B5, Nanog, oncostatin M, β-catenin, Oct-3/4, Sox2, and Nestin. RESULTS: Initial hyperbaric oxygen treatment began to affect glioma stemness-associated properties. The proportion of CD133(+)A2B5(+) cells was significantly reduced after initial hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Additionally, the expression of stemness-related genes such as Nanog and oncostatin M was reduced, while TGF-β and β-catenin were increased. CONCLUSIONS: Initial hyperbaric oxygen treatment not only alters the hypoxic microenvironment but also affects the stemness-associated properties of cancer stem cells.