Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy And Aging

Overview

With the first recorded use in 1662, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has become known as a treatment used for a wide range of medical conditions, from chronic wounds to carbon monoxide poisoning.¹ Unlike the normal air we breathe, which contains 21% oxygen, HBOT provides the patient with 100% oxygen. 

If you’re prescribed HBOT, then you’ll have your whole body encased in a pressurised chamber, where you'll experience oxygen levels two to three times higher than normal. This treatment aids your lungs in absorbing more oxygen, which in turn helps your body's tissues heal and resist infections. A session of HBOT can last anywhere from 45 minutes to up to five hours, with some chronic medical conditions requiring 30 or more sessions.¹

Healthcare providers may use HBOT alone or alongside various medications or to help with recovery after surgery.  More recently, however, HBOT has been used as a treatment to slow down aging, and has been found to improve skin elasticity and repair damaged skin.

How does HBOT work ?

HBOT might impact aging through different ways. One way is by influencing hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), especially HIF-1α. 

HBOT creates a situation called a hyperoxic-hypoxic paradox, where intermittent exposure to high oxygen levels triggers an excessive induction of protective factors, simulating conditions similar to low oxygen levels (hypoxia).² This paradoxical response activates cellular pathways that protect against hypoxia, potentially offering benefits in aging.³

Another mechanism involves the sirtuin family of proteins, which play an important role when it comes to the body’s metabolism,³ with SIRT1 found to be linked to longevity and stress resistance. HBOT has been shown to boost SIRT1 under high oxygen conditions, which contrasts with its decrease during low oxygen levels influenced by HIF-1α.⁴ 

Activating SIRT1 is associated with various substances involved in aging, including various factors and enzymes that are involved inregulating stress responses, inflammation, and metabolism.⁴

Additionally, HBOT has been found to increase the average length of telomeres, which are protective caps on the ends of chromosomes that naturally shorten with each cell division Their length is linked to cellular ageing and they have been found todecrease natural deterioration in various immune cells like B cells, T helper cells, and cytotoxic T lymphocytes. 

Benefits of HBOT

This therapy has shown promise for addressing aging and age-related conditions. By following suitable protocols that avoid harmful results, HBOT may have therapeutic effects against aging. In the realm of bone health, HBOT has displayed anti-osteoporotic effects in aged rats,⁵ indicating potential benefits for aging-induced osteoporosis.

Rejuvenative changes associated with HBOT include increased mean telomere length in immune cells and improved cognition in older adults, especially when it comes to attention and information processing speed. 

For neurodegenerative diseases, HBOT exhibits promise in treating conditions linked to neurodegeneration and functional impairments, such as Alzheimer’s disease, potentially restoring cognitive function and damage to the hippocampus in ageing and ageing-obese models.^{4,5, 6}

Ageing and wound healing

In the context of stress-impaired dermal wound healing, HBOT has demonstrated improvement, offering potential benefits for aging. Regarding ocular disorders like age-related macular degeneration, HBOT is proposed to minimise oxygen loss and reoxygenation injury to retinal pigment epithelial cells.⁷

However, it's essential to note that while these findings are promising, further research is necessary to establish a universally applicable protocol for HBOT in ageing therapies.

Cellular ageing

In cellular ageing processes, HBOT has been found to influence telomere length and cognitive function in older adults. A clinical trial with 60 sessions of intermittent HBOT resulted in an increased mean telomere length in various immune cells, suggesting a potential role in modulating cellular ageing markers.⁵

The trial also noted a reduction in older T helper and cytotoxic T cells, indicative of cellular ageing. The mechanism involves the hyperoxic-hypoxic paradox, where intermittent hyperoxic conditions induce a state similar to hypoxia, activating hypoxia-induced factor 1a (HIF-1a) and inducing SIRT1 by hyperoxia, contributing to observed anti-ageing effects.⁵

Cognitive function improvement in older adults, especially attention and information processing speed, is linked to increased cerebral blood flow in those brain regions where blood flow typically declines with age.

Risks of HBOT

HBOT is generally safe in controlled settings, but it does come with potential risks and side effects. The most common side effect is barotrauma to the ears and sinuses, causing ear pain or discomfort in about 17% of patients. Additionally, 3.8% of patients may have barotraumatic lesions during otological examinations due to pressure equalisation issues.⁶

Oxygen toxicity

Another risk is central nervous system oxygen toxicity, which may result in seizures without clear warning signs. This is linked to the high oxygen pressures used in HBOT and can lead to generalised seizures in a small number of cases.

Concerns about pulmonary oxygen toxicity with prolonged exposure to high oxygen concentrations exist, but modern HBOT protocols have not shown significant changes in pulmonary function tests, indicating that the theoretical risk may not be substantiated with current treatments.

Other risks

Ocular effects like transient myopia (near-sightedness) due to oxygen's impact on the lens and a less clear association with cataract growth have been reported. 

Additionally, confinement anxiety may affect patients, especially those with claustrophobia.⁷

Careful pre-examination and monitoring are crucial to minimise these risks. When safety guidelines are strictly followed, HBOT is generally considered a safe treatment option with few complications.

When to see a doctor

If you have a chronic wound or another medical condition that could benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy, reach out to your healthcare provider. They'll guide you in figuring out if this treatment is suitable for you.

If you undergo HBOT and experience breathing issues, contact your healthcare provider or go to the local emergency department immediately.⁶

FAQ’s

Is hyperbaric oxygen healthy?

Yes, hyperbaric oxygen is beneficial for health. It consists of pure oxygen, supporting the immune system in combating bacteria and promoting the generation of stem cells. Stem cells play a crucial role in creating various essential cells such as blood, brai, and muscle cells in the body.

How often should you do hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

The frequency of hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions typically ranges from once a week to five days a week, with each session commonly lasting between one and two hours. Your healthcare provider may recommend a total of 30 sessions or more based on your specific needs.

What is the recovery time after hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

After a hyperbaric oxygen therapy session, you can resume your normal daily activities right away. While some people experience benefits after several sessions, it's crucial to complete the entire treatment course. 

Regular communication with your healthcare provider ensures early identification of any potential complications, promoting effective monitoring of your progress.

Summary

• HBOT is a treatment for chronic wounds and various medical conditions. It involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurised chamber, aiding tissue healing and infection resistance
• HBOT shows promise in addressing ageing-related conditions, including anti-osteoporotic effects, improved cognitive function, and rejuvenative changes in immune cells. It may benefit neurodegenerative diseases and enhance dermal wound healing
• While generally safe, potential risks include barotrauma to ears, central nervous system oxygen toxicity leading to seizures, and concerns about pulmonary oxygen toxicity. Ocular effects like transient myopia and anxiety due to chamber confinement are also reported