Gene therapy may explain the benefits of hyperbaric therapy in the aging population

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is being utilized for a variety of health conditions, particularly those affecting the aging population.

Numerous benefits have been reported, both in clinical research and in outcome studies. This has given way to a further rise in research studies, with the goal to provide more data to help better understand and/or confirm these benefits.

This study followed 30 patients, who all underwent a typical course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (60 total sessions at 2.0 ATA), and evaluated the genetic changes that followed the induction of this procedure. In particular, they looked at transcriptome sequencing.

By studying transcriptomes, researchers hope to determine when and where genes are turned on or off in various types of cells and tissues Following the 60 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, a total of 1912 genes were affected (1342 genes were turned on and 570 genes turned off.

This study demonstrates the affects of HBOT on the genetic processes within the body and may further help to explain the many benefits that have been reported from this procedure view study