What Researchers Did
This review summarized the potential cellular mechanisms by which hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) influences chronic wound healing.
What They Found
Researchers found that HBOT escalates the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen radicals, and paradoxically elevates Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) 1, which stimulates growth factors. HBOT also supports Heat shock protein synthesis, exhibits antimicrobial effects, enhances antibiotic effectiveness, stimulates fibroblast growth and collagen synthesis, and suppresses proteolytic enzymes.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was not conducted in Canada nor involved Canadian researchers or patients.
Study Limitations
A key limitation is that all observed effects were investigated in cell cultures and animal models, which may not directly translate to human clinical outcomes.