OxyFile #106

TI:  Comparison of Arterial and Tissue Oxygen Measurements in 
     Humans Receiving Regional Hydrogen Peroxide Infusions and 
     Oxygen Inhalation

DT:  October 1968

AU:  P.A. Germon, D.S. Faust, L.W. Brady

SO:  Radiology 91: 669-672, October 1968

AB:  Following the report of Gray that tumor sensitivity to 
     irradiation increased in an environment containing an 
     increased oxygen concentration, interest was stimulated in 
     the possible application of this principle in the treatment 
     of cancer patients.  Churchill-Davidson first used the 
     hyperbaric chamber to provide increased oxygen tensions 
     within the body.  Mallams, using regional intra-arterial 
     infusion technics, reported that equally high concentrations 
     of oxygen could be delivered to the tumor area with 
     infusions of hydrogen peroxide solutions.

     Because of reports of the ease of Mallams' technic and the 
     beneficial effects of this adjunct to radiation treatment, a 
     study was undertaken to evaluate oxygen tensions generated 
     in arterial blood and muscles of animals and patients 
     receiving infusions with hydrogen peroxide solutions.

     Although regional intra-arterial infusion systems using 
     hydrogen peroxide have been suggested as a means to increase 
     oxygen concentrations in arterial blood and tissues, data 
     from this study fail to confirm the magnitude of changes 
     previously reported.  The magnitude of the measured changes 
     appears related to the rapidity of infusion and the distance 
     of the hydrogen peroxide source from the measuring 
     electrode.  It is believed that the high oxygen readings 
     obtained while the electrode and hydrogen peroxide source 
     are in close proximity reflect other factors beside 
     dissolved oxygen.  Comparative studies with inhalation of 
     oxygen in high concentrations demonstrated that high 
     arterial oxygen tensions can be produced consistently in 
     patients in the absence of significant cardiopulmonary 
     disease and depressant drugs.