What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a pilot study with 23 healthy individuals to monitor changes in renal function parameters, including HIF-1α and erythropoietin, during 10 hyperbaric oxygenation therapy (HBOT) sessions.
What They Found
Among the 23 participants, heart rate decreased during HBOT sessions in both male and female individuals. Most renal function parameters, including serum HIF-1α and erythropoietin, blood pressure, and blood and urine values, remained unchanged, except for urine osmolality which showed a trend of alteration.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygenation therapy (HBOT) for various conditions may find reassurance that the treatment generally does not appear to negatively impact key renal function parameters. This suggests that HBOT could be considered a relatively safe option for kidney health in otherwise healthy individuals.
Canadian Relevance
This pilot study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
As a pilot study with a small sample size of 23 healthy individuals, these findings may not be generalizable to a broader patient population or those with pre-existing renal conditions.