What Researchers Did
Researchers investigated whether long-term repetitive hyperbaric oxygen exposure modified the degree of DNA damage in combat swimmers and divers compared to non-diving volunteers.
What They Found
All groups showed comparable in vivo oxidative stress and antioxidative capacity, but ex vivo hyperbaric oxygen exposure significantly increased DNA damage and superoxide anion radical production in lymphocytes. This response was more pronounced in cells from combat swimmers than in all other groups, though DNA damage was completely removed within 1 hour in all participants.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients undergoing therapeutic hyperbaric oxygen, these findings suggest that while DNA damage may occur, it is rapidly repaired. However, individuals with long-term, repetitive exposures might experience a more pronounced initial cellular response.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian relevance.
Study Limitations
The study's findings may not be generalizable to all populations receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy, as it focused on a specific cohort of combat swimmers and divers.