An Extra Breath of Fresh Air: Hyperbaric Oxygenation as a Stroke Therapeutic

Abstract

Stroke serves as a life-threatening disease and continues to face many challenges in the development of safe and effective therapeutic options. The use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) demonstrates pre-clinical effectiveness for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke and reports reductions in oxidative stress, inflammation, and neural apoptosis. These pathophysiological benefits contribute to improved functional recovery. Current pre-clinical and clinical studies are testing the applications of HBOT for stroke neuroprotection, including its use as a preconditioning regimen. Mild oxidative stress may be able to prime the brain to tolerate full extensive oxidative stress that occurs during a stroke, and HBOT preconditioning has displayed efficacy in establishing such ischemic tolerance. In this review, evidence on the use of HBOT following an ischemic stroke is examined, and the potential for HBOT preconditioning as a neuroprotective strategy. Additionally, HBOT as a stem cell preconditioning is also discussed as a promising strategy, thus maximizing the use of HBOT for ischemic stroke.

Heat Shock Proteins in Oxidative Stress and Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury and Benefits from Physical Exercises: A Review to the Current Knowledge

“…There are some interesting reports on the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in the treatment of ischemia, describing the role of HSP expression and reduction of ROS biosynthesis during reperfusion. HBOT promotes protection by upregulating HSPs via an increase in Nrf2-mediated antioxidant gene expression and upregulates essential proteins involved in intracellular GSH production and transport [ 101 , 102 ]. The findings have provided new evidence to support that HBOT induces tolerance to I/R injury by upregulating HSP activity.…”

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Attenuates Burn-Induced Denervated Muscle Atrophy

“…Adjunctive HBOT has been suggested to reduce postburn bacterial translocation and sepsis [48,49]. Furthermore, data increasingly support HBOT as a part of a neuroprotective strategy in stroke [50][51][52], neurodegenerative diseases [53][54][55] and traumatic brain injury [56] to improve functional recovery. In this study, we found a benefit of delayed HBOT (administered at days 28-41 after burn injury) for reducing long-term neuromuscular complications post-burn.…”

Possible Applications of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy-Narrative Review

“…HBO is also used to treat anemia caused by blood loss. This method plays an important role in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, and stroke [11]. HBO, through its strengthening effect on the immune system, is helpful in the treatment of severe infections, including septic conditions [3].…”