Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Inflammatory Bowl Disease

Many private hyperbaric facilities are are providing HBOT for those inflicted with IBD, most commonly Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis. This new study demonstrates the usefulness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for these conditions by showing the lowering of inflammatory markers and oxidative stress, alongside the improved clinical outcomes <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen, more is better right? — Wrong, lower pressure shown to provide stronger effect!

People still believe that hyperbaric oxygen therapy only works at higher pressures. Most of them are only practicing with higher pressure protocols and have not taken the time to go through the steady influx of all the recent data and research making its way into current medical journals and publications. If they did, they would very quickly be able to see that lower pressures can provide very powerful effects, and sometimes even more powerful than those observed with higher pressures; the latter was just the case in a landmark study released in 2013.

This study was published in the UHMS journal (a mainstream, peer reviewed, hyperbaric medical journal) and looked at the difference between 2.4 ATA (higher pressure HBOT) and 1.5 ATA (lower pressure HBOT). The results were stunning in virtually all areas observed. Researchers observed 92 inflammatory genes and this is what they quoted:

“Interestingly, oxygen at 1.5 atm abs affected many genes much more strongly than oxygen at 2.4. The reasons for this effect are unknown, but it does raise questions about the most appropriate treatment pressures for inflammatory conditions”

It was landmark study for lower pressure protocols, because it clearly demonstrated that the lower pressure protocols (1.5 ATA) had much stronger effects in the inflammatory genes observed than the higher pressures (2.4 ATA). <view study>

Hopefully this study will put an end to those that think more is better, and that higher pressures are the only effective means of delivering hyperbaric oxygenation therapy.

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on inflammatory factors

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy could “significantly affect the expression levels of IL-12p40, MIP-1β, PDGF-BB, and IL-1Ra, indicating that the effects of HBO therapy are associated with the attenuation of inflammatory responses”. <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen improves disease activity in hospitalized ulcerative colitis patients

This study evaluated 20 Ulcerative Colitis (UC) patients that were hospitalized for moderate to severe flares and treated with either a 3 or 5-day course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT, at 2.4 atmospheres, 90 minutes with two air breaks) in addition to intravenous steroids.

By Day 3, there were significant reductions in stool frequency, rectal bleeding, and overall inflammation. A more significant reduction in disease activity was observed with 5 days vs 3 days of HBOT. Thus researchers concluded that an optimal clinical response is achieved with 5 days of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. <view study>

New Implications for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Colorectal Cancer

Hyperbaric oxygenation therapy is being researched for many conditions and their pathophysiological effects. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of HBOT showed benefits in reducing the carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer following induction. In today’s pro-inflammatory world, this could have huge impacts on reducing the rates of pathogenic inflammatory-related tumors <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen chambers and the treatment of sports injuries

“This review explains the rationale for the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and reports on the initial research in the area of hyperbaric oxygen in sports-induced injury.

The initial human and animal model studies have shown promising, and in some instances significant, acceleration of healing. The potential benefits for sports injuries appear to be a blunting of initial injury, possibly by controlling the neutrophil adhesion and release of oxygen free radicals as well as an enhancement of healing processes requiring oxygen-like collagen formation phagocytosis”. <view study>

Effects of sprint interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness while in a hyperbaric oxygen environment

‘Exercise training and HBO2 exposure stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis, increase capillary density, and induce adaptive antioxidant mechanisms’

49 Healthy long-term intermediate-altitude residents were randomized into 2 groups: one performing six sessions of a SIT regimen over two weeks in a hyperbaric chamber (1.4 ATA); the other performing under ambient pressure conditions (0.85 ATA)

The results of this study demonstrated an improvement of cardiorespiratory fitness in the hyperbaric group, reflected by a a significantly higher increase in peak work rate and VE. <view study>

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy — A novel therapeutic intervention for Alzheimer’s Disease

The Neurobiology of Aging has just published a study supporting the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this study, they demonstrated the positive impact of HBOT on many of the commonly-found underlying pathologies that are observed in the AD brain. A key focus of this study was on HBOT’s ability to basically halt and reverse the neuro-inflammatory disease progression involved in AD <view study>

Endurance performance is enhanced by intermittent hyperbaric exposure via up-regulation of proteins involved in mitochondrial biogenesis in mice

This study was focused on exercise training and evaluated the effects of 1.3 ATA (ambient air) hyperbaric exposure during the training regimen. The researchers were able to see positive changes in cellular processes and protein levels, allowing them to conclude the following: “The results showed that intermittent exposure of 1.3 ATA was able to enhance endurance performance.” <view study>

Effects of intermittent hyperbaric exposure on endurance and interval exercise performance in well-trained mice

This study was designed to clarify the mechanisms by which 1.3 ATA (ambient air) hyperbaric therapy&nbsp; improves endurance and interval exercise capacities in highly trained mice.

During sprint interval training, the results showed an increase in the proportion of type 1 muscle fibers and promoted the growth of blood vessels and muscle fibers.

These results may lead to a new strategy for enhancing exercise capacity in well-trained mice.” <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduces pain associated with inflammation

This study published in the Journal of Pain, recognizes past clinical data for the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in models of pain. Here they looked at daily application of hyperbaric oxygen for 1 week and evaluated physiological changes that may explain the analgesic effects of hyperbaric therapy. The results showed a reduction in numerous inflammatory markers, along with pain relief. By understanding the mechanism, HBOT may get more wide use for being a safe and effective way to reduce inflammatory pain <view study>

Successful Treatment of Long Standing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) can be a debilitating disorder associated with severe pain and disability characterized by both auto-inflammatory and autoimmune features.

This publication was a case report of a patient with long-standing CRPS that had a dramatic response to a course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and was able to successfully lower their prednisone dosage. Symptoms reemerged a few months later so a second course of hyperbaric therapy was prescribed. Similarly to the first course, the patient improved symptomatically and was able to once again lower the dose prednisone.

“This case is unique in that it shows that HBOT can be effective in long-standing CRPS, both initially, and for subsequent flares, and adds to the evidence supporting HBOT as a potential treatment for this condition” <view study>

STUDY REVEALS over 8100 genes affected by hyperbaric oxygen, and it is the pressure that makes all the difference.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been traditionally used for growth, repair, tissue regeneration, and overall recovery. The mechanisms by which these positive effects occur are continuously being explored and our understanding of these effects are growing vastly, and much of these benefits have been shown to occur through the regulation of gene expression in various tissues inside the body. People often wonder why we cannot just breathe pure oxygen and get the same benefits that are achieved through hyperbaric delivery. This study should put those questions at rest and clearly shows the main relevant factor in HBOT is PRESSURE and not the 100% Oxygen. Note, both are considered to be the 2 key variables in dosing hyperbaric oxygen therapy. In this case, the research clearly pointed that the pressure was far more important and just breathing 100% oxygen did not have the physiological benefits that occurred when pressurized oxygen was added. More importantly, researchers in this study observed that pressurized oxygen caused an effect on over 8 thousand genes observed, within a 24 hour period of time following HBOT! <view study>

New brain tissue growth occurs from long course of hyperbaric oxygen

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is widely used as an effective off-label use for stroke victims. Research has found that this therapy not only targets oxygenation of the affected area and reduces inflammation, but also has been shown to promote bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) to proliferate and mobilize, which essentially becomes an important part of the neurogenic (nervous system growth) effects that have been demonstrated from hyperbaric procedures. Mobilization of these BMSCs to the damaged areas was more improved in long course hyperbaric treatments, suggesting the duration of therapy is crucial for promoting their neurogenic effects.

It is important to also note that emerging stem cell research has clearly demonstrated that BMSCs secrete brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the addition of anti-BDNF neutralizing antibodies to MSC-conditioned medium attenuated its neuroprotective effect <view study>

<p>This study also looked at the release of BDNF and found that a 3-week course of HBOT was able to produce significantly higher levels of BDNF and GDNF, than a shorter 2-day course of HBO. These results indicated that longer and repetitive HBO therapy promoted more neurotrophic factor production, including BDNF and GDNF. <view study>

Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy helps Osteoarthritis and degenerative joint/cartilage disease

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition that is very common amongst the elderly and one that, for many, negatively affects their quality of life by causing a great deal of debility, and causing a dependency on pain medications (NSAIDS). OA is basically a degenerative condition of the joints whereby inflammatory markers seem to be the most important mediators of this cartilage destruction. Keep in mind that cartilage is able to repair itself through the induction of local growth factors, leading to the production of new collagen. This ‘regenerative’ repair is counteracted by the continual destruction seen with this disorder, leading to a progressive degenerative state. Since HBOT is considered to be a regenerative therapy, it would make sense that HBOT could help with a degenerative condition like OA. HBOT is already being used by OA sufferers for its anti-inflammatory pain-relieving effects, but now this study gives us insights on its potential long term benefits on reducing the net destruction and degeneration observed in OA. Researches were able to show that HBOT can benefit OA by helping with both factors that are involved in this disease. Firstly, HBOT caused a marked reduction of the key inflammatory markers involved this condition; thereby, reducing further degeneration. Secondly, HBOT caused an increase in the number of growth factors involved in the production of new collagen and cartilage formation, thus helping in the repair and regeneration of this tissue. The clinical relevance of this study is enormous, as it may offer OA sufferers the ability to counteract the degradative forces involved in OA, while still offering its pain-relieving benefits <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps the damaged brain

This study looked at physiological changes that occurred in the brain with the application of hyperbaric therapy following traumatic brain injury. They noticed an improvement in the blood-brain barrier, a reduction in inflammation and inflammatory proteins, a reduction in both swelling and the size of the damage, and more importantly an improvement in neurological status including motor and cognitive function <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen increases new blood vessels towards traumatic tissue

Following spinal cord injuries, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been shown to produce a positive effect on healing, but it still remains unclear of the main mechanisms of action. This study followed spinal cord injuries treated with HBOT and demonstrated that this group had higher and longer expressions of VEGF (Vascular endothelial growth factor), which is responsible for the growth of new blood vessels. This follows many other studies and citations, particularly with non-healing wounds, where HBOT facilitates the body to produce more blood vessels to damaged tissue, for long terms benefits <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may alleviate long-term spinal cord damage

Long-term disabilities from spinal cord injuries are linked with the extent of secondary injury from the inflammation that immediately follows the injury. This natural body body response of inflammation, limits the amount of blood and oxygen getting to the area, and thus poses greater problem. Hyperbaric oxygen has been used as an off-label treatment for spinal cord injuries for many years now, with many positive reports by both patients and treating physicians. This study showed that applying hyperbaric therapy may reduce secondary damage by reducing the inflammatory factors produced by the body. This gives good rationale for using HBOT following spinal cord injuries, not only to reduce secondary damage due to inflammation, but for also getting extra oxygen into the area and promote further repair, while not losing functional capacity <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in inflammatory bowel disease

This 2021 review of literature suggest benefit for using hyperbaric oxygen therapy in ulcerative colitis flares and Crohn’s disease <view study>

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy shows great promise for children suffering with Severe Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) or AD is a condition that makes your skin red and itchy and is one of the most common inflammatory skin diseases in children. As the disease progresses in severity the consequences can be seen in sleep disturbances, irritability, stress, and social functioning disorders.

After only a 30-day treatment cycle in a hyperbaric chamber, all children with severe atopic dermatitis experienced a significant clinical improvement in their skin condition.

There was a reduction in the extent and intensity of skin lesions, as well as a reduction of redness, swelling, oozing/crusting, scratch marks, and skin lichenification. Moreover, patients reported a noticeable reduction in the intensity of pruritus (itching) and an improvement in sleep quality!

These results are very promising and should give rise to more research into effective treatment dosages and protocols. This particular study used 2.5 ATA for 60 minutes (three 20 min sessions separated by two 5 minute air breaks). <view study>