Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy’s role in Stem Cell transplantation for type 1 Diabetes

Human Embryonic stem cells have gained wide acceptance for the potential benefit of many conditions. Type 1 Diabetes is one of these conditions where this procedure is being tested. However, these stem cells have consistently failed to generate meaningful numbers of mature, functional β cells. Since oxygen is a strong driver of differentiation, researchers of this animal study looked at applying hyperbaric oxygen therapy to a group of rats following transplanted cells and observed an increase in the maturation of these cells, leading to increased insulin production. The future of embryonic stem cells may be to drive the differentiation and maturation of these cell by following the procedure with a course of hyperbaric oxygenation therapy <view study>

Brain Recovery … Oxygen tensions directly affect the growth of stem cells (neural crest)

The neural crest is an ideal source for multipotent adult stem cells. The results of this study “show for the first time that extreme oxygen tensions directly control NCSC proliferation” <view study>

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy affects Stem Cells

Adipose-derived stem cells are considered as candidate cells for regenerative plastic surgery.

“Hyperbaric oxygen therapy with 3 ATA increases viability and proliferation of adipose-derived stem cells, alters marker expression and subpopulations, decreases TGF-β secretion, and skews adipose-derived stem cells toward adipogenic differentiation” <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>

The combination of HBOT and PRP improves bone regeneration

Recently, there has been many clinics raving about the benefits of combining HBOT with PRP. This study showed that the combination of both procedures produced new blood vessels and new bone formation. More studies are sure to follow <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 promotes Neurogenesis

Neurogenesis is the growth and development of the nervous system with new neurons. This process has been shown to be significantly enhanced through the application of hyperbaric oxygenation therapy, particularly following trauma to the brain or central nervous system. A recent article titled “Hyperbaric oxygen therapy promotes neurogenesis: where do we stand?” has just been published. In this article, proposed physiological mechanisms of action are looked at, in a way to gain better understanding of oxygen’s role in neurogenesis <view study>

Combining Hyperbaric oxygen therapy with PRP for diabetic wounds

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and PRP are both gaining popularity in sports medicine and rehabilitation therapies and many clinics are combining both procedures to effectively enhance their therapeutic results. This recent study documented their combined benefits for diabetic wounds. In this study, the combination of both procedures produced a significant reduction in active ulcers. Moreover, they also they also produced a large reduction in the wound area <view study>

Effective rehab using stem cell transplantation combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy

HBO is a promising therapy for spinal cord injuries. This study showed that the combination of transplanted Mesenchymal Stem cells (MSCs) and HBO treatment improved the recovery of lost hind limbs function in spinal cord-injured rats <view study>

Hyperbaric Oxygen increases BDNF — A hot topic in brain regenerative therapies

BDNF is a very powerful protein that is released by your body in the efforts to stimulate the production of brand new brain cells (neurogenesis). This protein is vital to learning, memory, and higher thinking. Moreover, the expression of this protein is significantly reduced in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease. With this understanding, research is now pouring in to help us gain a better understanding of BDNF and its role in brain plasticity and regeneration. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been noted for its brain regenerative effects, and this new study supports this notion. Researchers used a lower pressure of 1.5 ATA along with 2.0 ATA, and found that both pressures were able to cause significant increases in BDNF in just 3 to 5 days of consecutive HBOT sessions. “The BDNF concentration increased in a highly significant manner after three consecutive HBO treatments up to 43.94 ng/mL (p < 0.001) and after five HBO treatments up to 51.63 (p < 0.001) when compared to the BDNF concentration after one HBO treatment”. With respect to this study, the purpose was to demonstrate the potential benefits of adding HBOT to cochlear implantation as a promising adjunct treatment for hearing loss. <view study>

Regenerative effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy with PRP — Knee Cartilage

The results of this study showed a synergistic effect of HBO and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) on knee cartilage regeneration.

“The aggregation and activation of growth factors released from platelets whose activation is increased in the hyperbaric environment may explain this synergistic effect. This may result in a better regeneration than the effect of PRP or HBO alone” <view study>