What Researchers Did
Researchers investigated the early effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on inflammation and cell signaling markers in 19 patients with type 1 diabetes and peripheral arterial disease.
What They Found
After 10 sessions of HBOT, where patients inhaled 100% oxygen at 2.4 ATA for one hour, plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and free fatty acids (FFA) significantly decreased (p < 0.001). Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression and serum nitrite/nitrate levels also decreased (p < 0.01), while serum arginase activity increased (p < 0.05). These changes suggest HBOT reduced iNOS activity by affecting specific cell pathways like ERK1/2, Akt, and NFκB.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
This was a pilot study with a small group of 19 patients, which limits how broadly the findings can be applied.