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> Read Less

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> Read Less

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 effected 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 were 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 neutralising antibodies to MSC-conditioned medium attenuated its neuroprotective effect <view study>

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 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> Read Less

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> Read Less

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> Read Less