Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment in Research and Clinical Practice

Mechanisms of Action in Focus

Ines Drenjančević

• Publisher: IntechOpen
• Year: 2018
• Print ISBN:
  9781789235982
• eBook ISBN:
  9781838814694
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Emergency Medicine & Critical Care

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO2) is a widely accepted adjuvant therapy in various health conditions that exhibit impaired tissue blood flow. At high pressures, the delivery of the dissolved oxygen in plasma is enhanced, which contributes to better tissue oxygenation, cellular metabolism and ultimately, healing. However, this is not the only beneficial outcome of HBO2 treatment since oxygen is a highly reactive molecule and can induce upregulation of many enzymatic systems in the cell at the cellular, genetic and molecular level. Particularly, vascular/endothelial function is affected by the HBO2. Our understanding of these mechanisms is still emerging. There have been many controversies related to the HBO2 protocols and indications. As well as exhibiting beneficiary effects on the tissue perfusion, it is known that HBO2 demonstrates high toxicity at higher pressures, due to increased oxidative stress and barotrauma. On the other hand, there is a lack of translation of the knowledge on the mechanisms of action of HBO2 obtained from the experimental research to the clinical practice. Thus, this book presents the reader with an overview of the current knowledge on the mechanisms of HBO2 effects in various experimental models and clinical treatment protocols, in an attempt to provide a better understanding of how and when HBO2 should be used as an effective therapy without unwanted side effects.

Table of contents

• Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment in Research and Clinical Practice - Mechanisms of Action in Focus
• Contents
• Preface
• Chapter 1 Introductory Chapter: Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment: Old Treatment with New Understanding
• Chapter 2 Therapeutic Mechanisms of Action for Hyperbaric Oxygen on Femoral Head Necrosis
• Chapter 3 Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Traumatic Brain Injury: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms
• Chapter 4 Microcirculation and Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment
• Chapter 5 Cell Culture Effects of Altered Oxygen Levels and Hyperbaric Treatment In Vitro
• Chapter 6 Mechanisms of HBO-Induced Vascular Functional Changes in Diabetic Animal Models
• Chapter 7 Toxic Effects of Hyperbaric Conditions