Veterans Special Report

News & Research

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has been used for the better part of two centuries. Search our  arhives below for past HBOT news and research or scroll down for the latest.

The Latest HBOT News & Research

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy ameliorates pathophysiology of 3xTg-AD mouse model by attenuating neuroinflammation.

Feb 22, 2018 | ,

There is a real need for new interventions for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), the medical administration of 100% oxygen at conditions greater than 1 atmosphere absolute, has been used successfully to treat several neurological conditions, but its effects on AD pathology have never been thoroughly examined. Therefore, we exposed old triple-transgenic (3xTg) and non-transgenic mice to HBOT followed by behavioral, histological, and biochemical analyses. HBOT attenuated neuroinflammatory processes by reducing astrogliosis, microgliosis, and the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNFα) and increasing expression of scavenger receptor A, arginase1, and antiinflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10). Moreover, HBOT reduced hypoxia, amyloid burden, and tau phosphorylation in 3xTg mice and ameliorated their behavioral deficits. Therefore, we suggest that HBOT has multifaceted effects that reduce AD pathologies, even in old mice. Given that HBOT is used in the clinic to treat various indications, including neurological conditions, these results suggest HBOT as a novel therapeutic intervention for AD.

Clinical Trial – SOFT Block Versus Spinal Anesthesia in Patientsusing Ilizarov External Fixator

Feb 20, 2018 | , , ,

Peripheral nerve block is an ideal choice for lower limb surgery because of the peripheral
site of the surgical procedure and the ability to block pain pathways at multiple levels. On
the contrary to other anesthetic techniques, as spinal or general anesthesia, properly
performed peripheral nerve blocks bypass adverse events as hemodynamic instability and
respiratory complications, properly treat post-operative pain leading to early hospital
discharge. Additional advantages of peripheral nerve blocks are that they can be used in
patients receiving anti-coagulants or lumbosacral disease in addition to avoidance of airway
instrumentation.

Recently, there has been a significant interest in regional anesthesia and peripheral nerve
blockade. This is facilitated by a significant advance of the research in this field and
availability of better equipment facilitating regional anesthesia.The aim of this study was
to assess the efficacy and safety of SOFT block (sciatic-obturator-femoral nerve block
technique) in comparison with spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing surgery for fixation
of open tibial fractures using Ilizarov external fixator.

Clinical Trial – Effect of Intrathecal Morphine on Chronic Pain After Elective Caesarean Section

Feb 20, 2018 | , ,

The incidence of chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) after caesarean section (CS) is reported
to be as high as 18%, reflecting it to be a significant clinical problem. Studies related to
prevention of progression of acute post-CS pain to its chronicity are sparse. Current
guidelines on post-CS analgesia recommend the use of intrathecal (IT) opioids to spinal
anaesthesia for improved post-CS pain relief. Despite its frequent use, studies related to
the IT morphine use and its association with post-CS chronic pain are lacking.

A recent prospective observation study revealed a significant reduction in persistent pain
after CS when IT morphine was used as an adjuvant to spinal anaesthesia. However, there is no
any randomized controlled trial (RCT) that has explored this association to date. We
hypothesized that spinal morphine would reduce the incidence of persistent pain after CS.

Beneficial Effect of β-Elemene Alone and in Combination with Hyperbaric Oxygen in Traumatic Brain Injury by Inflammatory Pathway.

Feb 15, 2018 |

Present study evaluates the neuroprotective effect of β-elemene alone and in combination with hyperbaric oxygen (HO) in traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI was induced by dropping a weight from a specific height. All the animals were separated in to five groups (n=20) like control group; TBI group; β-elemene treated group which receives β-elemene (100 mg/kg, i.p.) half an hour after the injury; HO group which receives hyperbaric oxygen therapy and β-elemene + HO group which receives β-elemene (100 mg/kg, i.p.) half an hour after the injury and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Neurological function was assessed to evaluate the effect of β-elemene in TBI rats. Thereafter level of inflammatory cytokines and expression of protein of inflammatory pathway was assessed in the brain tissues of TBI rats.