Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Preconditioning on Doxorubicin Cardiorespiratory Toxicity

Cardiorespiratory dysfunction resulting from doxorubicin (DOX) chemotherapy treatment is a debilitating condition affecting cancer patient outcomes and quality of life. DOX treatment promotes cardiac and respiratory muscle pathology due to enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired muscle contractility. In contrast, hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is considered a controlled oxidative stress that can evoke a substantial and sustained increase in muscle antioxidant expression. This HBO-induced increase in antioxidant capacity has the potential to improve cardiac and respiratory (i.e., diaphragm) muscle redox balance, preserving mitochondrial function and preventing muscle dysfunction. Therefore, we determined whether HBO therapy prior to DOX treatment is sufficient to enhance muscle antioxidant expression and preserve muscle redox balance and cardiorespiratory muscle function. To test this, adult female Sprague Dawley rats received HBO therapy (2 or 3 atmospheres absolute (ATA), 100% O2, 1 h/day) for 5 consecutive days prior to acute DOX treatment (20 mg/kg i.p.). Our data demonstrate that 3 ATA HBO elicits a greater antioxidant response compared to 2 ATA HBO. However, these effects did not correspond with beneficial adaptations to cardiac systolic and diastolic function or diaphragm muscle force production in DOX treated rats. These findings suggest that modulating muscle antioxidant expression with HBO therapy is not sufficient to prevent DOX-induced cardiorespiratory dysfunction.


Introduction
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is a therapy used in clinical practice to treat ischemic diseases, decompression sickness and to promote wound healing [1][2][3]. Exposure to 100% oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure above 1 absolute atmosphere (ATA) enhances oxygen transport capacity of the blood, increasing oxygen delivery throughout the body [4]. Repeated daily bouts of HBO have been shown to induce physiological adaptations similar to exercise training, including improved cardiorespiratory function, fatigue resistance, increased antioxidant capacity and enhanced mitochondrial function [5][6][7][8][9][10]. Therefore, HBO treatment may have therapeutic potential to improve muscle function and quality of life in patients suffering from cardiorespiratory dysfunction. Doxorubicin (DOX) is a chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of a variety of cancers. While DOX is highly effective at reducing tumor burden, its use is limited by off-target accumulation in muscle tissue and the subsequent development of cardiac dysfunction, dyspnea, exercise intolerance and fatigue [11,12]. Within muscle tissue, DOX primarily localizes to mitochondria, where redox cycling on complex I results in the production of superoxide anions and reactive oxygen species (ROS) [11]. In addition, DOX can induce mitochondrial permeability transition, inhibit oxidative phosphorylation and 4-month-old female Sprague Dawley rats (Charles River Laboratories) were used in these experiments. Female rats were chosen due to the prevalence of DOX in the treatment of breast and gynecological cancers [28,29]. Experimental groups (n = 6/group) include: (1) 5 days room air exposure, saline treatment (CON); (2) 5 days room air exposure, DOX treatment (DOX); (3) 5 days 2 ATA HBO exposure, DOX treatment (2ATA-DOX); and (4) 5 days 3 ATA HBO exposure, DOX treatment (3ATA-DOX). Animals were housed at the University of Florida Animal Care Services Center and maintained under a 12:12 h light/dark cycle. Food and water were provided ad libitum throughout the experimental period. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the University of Florida approved these experiments (protocol no. 201910975).

Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment
Animals were exposed to HBO for one hour per day for 5 days. A custom 32 L chamber was flushed with 100% O 2 (i.e., 1 ATA O 2 ) and then pressurized to either 2 or 3 ATA (~5 psi/min). These pressures were chosen based on reports indicating potential dose dependency for HBO pressure and that 3 ATA is a safe maximal pressure for HBO therapy [8,30]. During HBO exposure, the chamber was continuously flushed with O 2 (4 L/min) to prevent CO 2 buildup. Animals breathing room air were exposed to the nonpressurized chamber an equal period of time as the HBO treated rats. Twenty-four hours following the last HBO or room air exposure, animals received a single injection of DOX or saline via intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection.

DOX Treatment
Animals received either a 20 mg/kg i.p. dose of DOX (McKesson, Irving, TX, USA) or an equal volume of saline. Forty-eight hours following DOX or saline treatment, cardiac ultrasound was performed immediately prior to sacrifice. Ex vivo diaphragm force production and mitochondrial function (heart and diaphragm) were measured, a strip of diaphragm muscle was stored in OCT for cross-sectional area (CSA) analysis, and the remaining diaphragm, heart and plasma were stored at −80 • C for subsequent analysis.

Echocardiography
Transthoracic echocardiography was performed and analyzed by a single blinded author as previously described [31] utilizing a LogiQe NextGen ultrasound (SOUND Technologies, Carlsbad, CA, USA) and ImageJ (NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA). In brief, animals were anesthetized with inhaled isoflurane during which 2D ultrasound images and M-mode tracings of the left ventricle (LV) were obtained in the parasternal short-axis view at the level of the papillary muscles. Measurements were obtained over 10-15 cardiac cycles and averaged for each animal. Systolic function was evaluated by fractional shortening percentage. Myocardial performance index (MPI), measured via Doppler ultrasound, and posterior wall shortening velocity (PWSV) was utilized to measure combined systolic and diastolic function of the LV. Following echocardiography, animals were euthanized and tissues were collected for evaluation of outcome measures.

Plasma Collection and Analysis
Upon sacrifice,~3 mL blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture from the left ventricle and placed in K 3 EDTA blood collection tubes. All blood samples were centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 10 min at 4 • C. Plasma was collected and immediately stored at −80 • C. Plasma cytokine and chemokine concentrations were measured according to manufacturer's instructions, using a Luminex Magpix ® multiplex analyzer (27 Plex MILLIPLEX MAP Rat Cytokine/Chemokine Magnetic Bead Panel, Millipore Sigma, Burlington, MA, USA). Twentyfive microliters of undiluted plasma samples were run in duplicate, and the assay was analyzed using Belysa™ Immunoassay Curve Fitting Software (Millipore Sigma).
A separate set of female Sprague Dawley control rats of similar age were used to collect pre-and post-HBO plasma samples (n = 7-9/group). A catheter was placed in the tail vein prior to HBO exposure to collect pre-HBO blood samples. Animals were placed inside the HBO chamber, which was flushed with 100% O 2 and then pressurized to either 2 or 3 ATA. Immediately after the 1-h exposure, animals were removed from the chamber and blood was collected via the tail vein catheter. Plasma samples were prepared as described above and assayed via the 27 Plex MILLIPLEX MAP Rat Cytokine/Chemokine Magnetic Bead Panel.

Diaphragm Force Production and Fatigue
A muscle strip was immediately dissected upon sacrifice from the mid-costal region of the diaphragm, including the tendinous attachments at the central tendon and rib cage. The strip was suspended vertically with one end connected to an isotonic force transducer (Aurora Scientific, Aurora, ON, Canada) within a jacketed tissue bath at 25 • C. Diaphragm contractile properties were measured as previously described [32]. To measure the forcefrequency response, each strip was stimulated supramaximally at optimal length with 120-V pulses at 15-160 Hz [33]. To measure the rate of muscle fatigue, the diaphragm strip was stimulated by unfused tetanic contractions using a stimulus train of 30 Hz every 2 s for 600 s with a train duration of 250 ms. Muscle fatigue is expressed as the time for diaphragm force production to reach 60% of its initial force.

Permeabilized Muscle Fibers, Mitochondrial Respiration and ROS Emission
Mitochondrial respiration and ROS emission were measured in permeabilized heart and diaphragm fibers, using previously described techniques [35].~5-8 mg fiber bundles were teased apart in ice-cold Buffer X (in mM: 60 K-MES, 35 KCl, 7.23 K 2 EGTA, 2.77 CaK 2 EGTA, 20 imidazole, 0.5 dithiothreitol, 20 taurine, 5.7 ATP, 15 phosphocreatine, and 6.56 MgCl 2 ; pH 7.1), permeabilized in Buffer X containing 50 µg/mL saponin, then washed for 15 min in Buffer Z (in mM: 110 K-MES, 35 KCl, 1 EGTA, 5 K 2 HPO 4 , 3 MgCl 2 , 0.05 glutamate, 0.02 malate, and 0.5 mg/mL bovine serum albumin (BSA) (pH 7.1). To measure respiration, permeabilized heart and diaphragm fiber bundles were placed in respiration chambers of an Oxygraph (Hansatech Instruments, King's Lynn, UK) maintained at 37 • C, with 1 mL of Buffer Z containing 20 mM creatine to saturate creatine kinase. State 3 was initiated by adding 5 mM of pyruvate, 5 mM of malate and 0.25 mM ADP, followed by addition of 10 µg/mL oligomycin to inhibit ATP synthesis and determine state 4. The respiratory control ratio (RCR) was calculated by dividing state 3 by state 4 respiration. ROS emission in permeabilized heart and diaphragm muscle fibers was determined using Amplex Red (Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR, USA). Sample fluorescence was normalized to dry weight of the tissue.

Statistical Analysis
A Shapiro-Wilk test was used to test for normality. For repeated measures analysis, a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare matched values. When significant, Sidak's multiple comparisons test was used post hoc. For all other analyses, a one-way ANOVA with a Dunnett's multiple comparisons test performed post hoc was used. Significance was established at p < 0.05. All data are presented as means ± standard error of mean (SEM).

Plasma Cytokine/Chemokine Levels Pre-and Post-Acute HBO Exposure
To determine whether differences exist in the acute inflammatory responses to HBO pressures of 2 ATA and 3 ATA, changes in circulating levels of cytokines and chemokines were assessed immediately before and after a single 1-h exposure to HBO ( Figure 1). Of the circulating proteins measured in the plasma, only VEGF was significantly altered, with post-HBO plasma levels significantly reduced compared to pre-HBO levels in both the 2 ATA and 3 ATA exposure groups.

Body Weight and Heart Weight Are Decreased with DOX Treatment
Within group comparison of body weight over time showed an increase in mass in the CON, DOX and 2ATA-DOX groups when their initial (pre-HBO or room air exposure) weight was compared to their weight on the day of DOX/Saline treatment. Final body weight compared to DOX/Saline treatment was reduced in the DOX group only. (Figure 2A). When compared between groups, body weight change (Final-DOX/Saline) was greater in the DOX and 2ATA-DOX rats compared to CON ( Figure 2B). Heart weight (normalized to tibia length) was significantly reduced in all groups treated with DOX compared to the saline treated CON group ( Figure 2C). Soleus and EDL muscle weights were maintained between all groups ( Figure 2D,E).
Antioxidants 2022, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW with post-HBO plasma levels significantly reduced compared to pre-HBO levels i the 2 ATA and 3 ATA exposure groups.

Body Weight and Heart Weight Are Decreased with DOX Treatment
Within group comparison of body weight over time showed an increase in m the CON, DOX and 2ATA-DOX groups when their initial (pre-HBO or room air exp weight was compared to their weight on the day of DOX/Saline treatment. Fina weight compared to DOX/Saline treatment was reduced in the DOX group only. ( 2A). When compared between groups, body weight change (Final-DOX/Salin greater in the DOX and 2ATA-DOX rats compared to CON ( Figure 2B). Heart (normalized to tibia length) was significantly reduced in all groups treated with compared to the saline treated CON group ( Figure 2C). Soleus and EDL muscle w were maintained between all groups ( Figure 2D-E).

Cardiac Function Is Reduced with DOX and Not Improved by HBO Preconditioning
Echocardiography revealed significant systolic and diastolic myocardial dysfunction in all groups treated with DOX. LV fractional shortening percentage was reduced in all DOX-treated groups compared to CON ( Figure 3A). PWSV was significantly reduced in the 2ATA-DOX group compared to CON, with trends for a reduction also apparent in the DOX (p = 0.1475) and 3ATA-DOX (p = 0.0592) groups compared to CON ( Figure 3B). Assessment of the MPI revealed a significant increase in all DOX treated groups above CON ( Figure 3C). The thickness of the posterior wall during systole and diastole (PWTs and PWTd) did not differ between groups. Septal wall thickness was significantly decreased in the 2ATA-DOX and 3ATA-DOX groups during systole (SWTs) compared to CON and 3ATA-DOX group compared to CON during diastole (SWTd) ( Table 1). Antioxidants 2022, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 of 14

Cardiac Function Is Reduced with DOX and Not Improved by HBO Preconditioning
Echocardiography revealed significant systolic and diastolic myocardial dysfunction in all groups treated with DOX. LV fractional shortening percentage was reduced in all DOX-treated groups compared to CON ( Figure 3A). PWSV was significantly reduced in the 2ATA-DOX group compared to CON, with trends for a reduction also apparent in the DOX (p = 0.1475) and 3ATA-DOX (p = 0.0592) groups compared to CON ( Figure 3B). Assessment of the MPI revealed a significant increase in all DOX treated groups above CON ( Figure 3C). The thickness of the posterior wall during systole and diastole (PWTs and PWTd) did not differ between groups. Septal wall thickness was significantly decreased in the 2ATA-DOX and 3ATA-DOX groups during systole (SWTs) compared to CON and 3ATA-DOX group compared to CON during diastole (SWTd) ( Table 1).

Diaphragm Dysfunction Is Observed Following DOX Treatment
DOX treatment results in diaphragm weakness and contractile dysfunction, leading to respiratory complications, dyspnea and fatigue [37]. Our findings support this, as diaphragm force production in the DOX group was significantly reduced compared to CON at 15, 100 and 160 Hz ( Figure 4A). Diaphragm specific force production was also significantly reduced in the 3ATA-DOX rats at frequencies between 30-160 Hz. However, there

Diaphragm Dysfunction Is Observed Following DOX Treatment
DOX treatment results in diaphragm weakness and contractile dysfunction, leading to respiratory complications, dyspnea and fatigue [37]. Our findings support this, as diaphragm force production in the DOX group was significantly reduced compared to CON at 15, 100 and 160 Hz ( Figure 4A). Diaphragm specific force production was also significantly reduced in the 3ATA-DOX rats at frequencies between 30-160 Hz. However, there was no significant difference between the 2ATA-DOX group compared to CON. Time to 60% baseline was not significantly reduced in any of the DOX treated groups compared to CON ( Figure 4B). Finally, DOX resulted in a significant reduction in the CSA of type IIb/x diaphragm muscle fibers compared to CON ( Figure 4C). No differences existed in muscle fiber size in the 2ATA-DOX or 3ATA-DOX groups compared to CON.

DOX Promotes Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Reactive Oxygen Species Production
Elevated ROS formation during HBO has been shown in animal and human studies, with evidence of both protective and harmful effects [38,39]. Regarding mitochondrial

DOX Promotes Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Reactive Oxygen Species Production
Elevated ROS formation during HBO has been shown in animal and human studies, with evidence of both protective and harmful effects [38,39]. Regarding mitochondrial function, our results show a significant decrease in RCR in the DOX and 3ATA-DOX groups compared to CON in the heart ( Figure 5A). Diaphragm mitochondrial function was significantly reduced in the 2ATA-DOX and 3ATA-DOX groups compared to CON ( Figure 5B). Mitochondrial ROS production was increased in the DOX and 3ATA-DOX groups compared to CON in the heart ( Figure 5C), while ROS emission did not reach significance between the CON and DOX treatment groups in the diaphragm ( Figure 5D).

HBO Preconditioning Increases Muscle Antioxidant Capacity
HBO has been shown to increase muscle antioxidant expression [5,6]. Our results support these previous findings as 5 days of HBO preconditioning at 2 ATA and 3 ATA significantly increased catalase expression in the heart ( Figure 6A). Exposure to 3 ATA HBO also resulted in increased SOD2 expression in the heart and increased catalase expression in the diaphragm ( Figure 6B).

HBO Preconditioning Increases Muscle Antioxidant Capacity
HBO has been shown to increase muscle antioxidant expression [5,6]. support these previous findings as 5 days of HBO preconditioning at 2 ATA significantly increased catalase expression in the heart ( Figure 6A). Exposur

HBO Preconditioning Increases Muscle Antioxidant Capacity
HBO has been shown to increase muscle antioxidant expression [5,6]. Our results support these previous findings as 5 days of HBO preconditioning at 2 ATA and 3 ATA significantly increased catalase expression in the heart ( Figure 6A). Exposure to 3 ATA HBO also resulted in increased SOD2 expression in the heart and increased catalase expression in the diaphragm ( Figure 6B).

Alterations in Circulating Chemokines/Cytokines
Analysis of plasma cytokines and chemokines showed altered levels primarily resulting from the combination of HBO preconditioning and DOX. DOX treatment alone did not significantly alter circulating expression of the cytokine/chemokine targets after 48 h (Figure 7). 2ATA-DOX induced an increase in the levels of the inflammatory proteins IP-10 and MCP-1 and a reduction in IL-17a. 3ATA-DOX elicited a greater response compared to CON, with increased levels of IP-10, MCP-1 and IL-10 and reduced levels of eotaxin, IL-5 and RANTES found in this group.

Alterations in Circulating Chemokines/Cytokines
Analysis of plasma cytokines and chemokines showed altered levels primarily resulting from the combination of HBO preconditioning and DOX. DOX treatment alone did not significantly alter circulating expression of the cytokine/chemokine targets after 48 h (Figure 7). 2ATA-DOX induced an increase in the levels of the inflammatory proteins IP-10 and MCP-1 and a reduction in IL-17a. 3ATA-DOX elicited a greater response compared to CON, with increased levels of IP-10, MCP-1 and IL-10 and reduced levels of eotaxin, IL-5 and RANTES found in this group.

Discussion
Increasing evidence supports the use of HBO as an effective therapy to maintain muscle redox balance, prevent mitochondrial dysfunction and preserve muscle function [10,40]. While limited information exists regarding the effects of HBO treatment in combination with DOX chemotherapy, preclinical investigation reveals potential benefits to tumor growth reduction [41] and accelerated healing of extravasation injury [26]. A recent study also showed that HBO exposure prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy with DOX did not adversely affect 5-year survival of patients with locally advanced breast cancer [42]. This study investigated the effects of HBO preconditioning on cardiac and respiratory muscle function following DOX administration. Our findings support the position that exposure to HBO therapy prior to DOX treatment is well-tolerated and does not exacerbate cardiorespiratory toxicity.

Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Function
HBO elevates ROS formation resulting in a modified inflammatory response, oxidative stress tolerance and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation [43,44]. Reported changes to the inflammatory process following HBO include both inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production and accelerated immune response time [43,45,46]. Evaluation of plasma cytokines in our study provides additional evidence of the anti-inflammatory effects of HBO as exposure to a single 1-h HBO session at either 2 or 3 ATA showed a significant decrease in the level of pro-inflammatory cytokine VEGF in the plasma (Figure 1). Additionally, repeated HBO exposure for 5 days in DOX-treated rats resulted in a significant reduction in plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines eotaxin, IL-5 and RANTES and increased levels of the anti-inflammatory protein IL-10 in rats exposed to HBO at 3 ATA (Figure 7).
Increased ROS production following HBO triggers activation of the oxidative stresssensitive transcription factor Nrf2 to upregulate antioxidant enzyme gene expression and preserve redox homeostasis [47,48]. These antioxidant genes include SOD1, SOD2, catalase and GPX1, all of which are established targets of Nrf2 and are demonstrated to increase following HBO therapy [5,6,9,40,49]. Our data also show an HBO-specific antioxidant response with catalase protein expression increased in the diaphragm muscle and both SOD2 and catalase increased in the heart ( Figure 6). These antioxidants play an important role in maintaining mitochondrial function. This is significant because the primary source of ROS in the heart and diaphragm muscles are the mitochondria and excessive oxidative stress significantly compromises oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production. In this regard, HBO therapy has been shown to improve electron transport chain complex activity, reduce membrane permeability and maintain ATP production under pathological conditions [50][51][52]. However, reports suggest that these beneficial effects may only occur when the therapy is given long-term [44]. It is hypothesized that when HBO therapy is limited to 5 or fewer sessions, cells reduce their mitochondrial activity to lower ROS production and reduce oxidative damage [53]. This finding supports the need for ongoing work to determine the appropriate dose of HBO needed for therapeutic benefit and may be associated with our findings that 5 days of HBO preconditioning did not improve mitochondrial function or ROS emission.

HBO Preconditioning and Cardiorespiratory Muscle Function
Exposure to repeated sessions of HBO therapy has the potential to protect the cardiorespiratory system with an increasing number of reports showing preservation of cardiac and diaphragm muscle function when used as a therapeutic countermeasure [5,17,40]. However, the use of HBO in combination with DOX is controversial stemming from seminal work by Upton et al. where 7 of 8 rats that were treated twice daily with HBO at 2 ATA died by the fourth week after DOX injection [24]. While the mortality rate in these rats was attributed to excessive free radical formation, this drastic effect on animal survival has not been replicated in subsequent studies [25,27]. Preliminary observations regarding the effects of HBO therapy concurrent with DOX treatment on cardiac function were published in 2008 when Karagoz et al. reported partial improvements in ejection fraction and fractional shortening in rats that had received 15 doses of DOX (1 mg/kg/dose) and a 90-min session of HBO at 2.4 ATA 5 days per week over a 4-week period [23]. Recently, a subsequent study showed elevated ROS production but preservation of cardiac structures with HBO preconditioning given daily for one week for 90 min at 2.5 ATA prior to DOX treatment [22]. Results from our study confirm these previous findings, as 5 days of HBO preconditioning at 2 or 3 ATA did not potentiate DOX-induced systolic or diastolic dysfunction ( Figure 3). In addition, this study provides the first evidence that DOX-induced respiratory muscle dysfunction is not exacerbated by repeated HBO sessions ( Figure 4). While HBO exposure did increase heart and diaphragm antioxidant capacity, these effects were not sufficient to reduce mitochondrial ROS production or preserve mitochondrial function. This finding could potentially be related to the short nature of the preconditioning protocol and the potential need for long-term HBO exposure to elicit the necessary mitochondrial adaptations to improve muscle contractile function following DOX exposure.

Conclusions
Although the clinical standpoint remains that HBO given in combination with DOX treatment should be avoided, and a minimum of a three day wash out recommended before starting HBO treatment [1], this study and other recent investigations support the concept that HBO does not potentiate DOX-induced cardiorespiratory muscle toxicity [22,23]. HBO may be beneficial not only for development as a therapeutic to reduce these negative consequences of DOX chemotherapy exposure, but there is also increasing evidence indicating that HBO therapy may be an effective adjuvant therapy to sensitize tumor cells to DOX [41]. Therefore, further work is needed to elucidate the optimal HBO therapy dosing protocol to maximize cardiorespiratory benefits when combined with DOX treatment.  Institutional Review Board Statement: The animal study protocol was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the University of Florida (#201910975, approved 3 June 2020).

Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable.
Data Availability Statement: Data is contained within the article.

Conflicts of Interest:
The authors declare no conflict of interest.