Outcome

This study provides the first direct evidence that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is associated with significant changes in gene expression among aging adults. The research demonstrated that following 60 sessions of HBOT over three months 1342 genes were upregulated and 570 genes were downregulated totaling 1912 genes with altered expression.

Introduction

Aging is increasingly associated with a decline in physiological functions and an elevated risk of age-related diseases due to changes in genetic expression and molecular pathways. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has shown promise in addressing some of these challenges. This study explores the impact of HBOT on gene expression in healthy elderly adults. Specifically thirty-five participants aged 64 and above underwent 60 daily HBOT sessions over three months with each session lasting 90 minutes at 2 ATA with 100% oxygen. Blood samples collected before during and after the therapy revealed significant changes: 1342 genes were upregulated and 570 genes were downregulated. Notably the gene ABCA13 remained significantly downregulated even two weeks post-therapy. These findings provide the first human evidence that HBOT can induce specific transcriptome changes in the aging population suggesting potential benefits for healthy aging at the genetic level.

Results

Following 60 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on 35 elderly participants significant alterations in gene expression were observed. The treatment protocol included 90-minute sessions at 2 ATA with 100% oxygen. Comprehensive gene expression analysis demonstrated that 1342 genes were upregulated while 570 genes were downregulated totaling 1912 genes with statistically significant changes (p < 0.01).

Most notably the gene ABCA13 exhibited a significant downregulation remaining markedly reduced even two weeks post-therapy. This was confirmed through RT-qPCR showing an average fold change of -3.89 ± 4.45 with substantial downregulation in the majority of samples analyzed (12 out of 16 showing an absolute fold change over 1.5).

In addition to ABCA13 four other genes—DNAJ6 HBG2 PDXDC1 and RANBP17—showed a more than 1.5-fold decrease in expression as a direct result of the therapy. Two weeks after the completion of the HBOT sessions further analyses indicated that 11 genes were still upregulated and 8 remained downregulated compared to their baseline levels.

These findings provide the first human evidence that HBOT can induce significant transcriptome changes in the aging population suggesting a modulation of gene expression that may contribute to healthier aging processes. The significant alteration of gene expression patterns highlights the potential molecular mechanisms through which HBOT might confer its beneficial effects thereby promoting longevity and reducing the risk of age-related diseases.

Conclusion

In conclusion this study provides pioneering evidence that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) induces significant changes in gene expression among aging adults. The findings reveal that 60 sessions of HBOT over three months can upregulate 1342 genes and downregulate 570 genes with notable downregulation of ABCA13 persisting even two weeks post-treatment. These results signify HBOT’s potential to modulate genetic pathways relevant to healthy aging suggesting a role in mitigating age-related physiological decline and possibly reducing susceptibility to associated diseases. Future research is warranted to explore the therapeutic implications of these gene expression alterations and to investigate long-term benefits and mechanisms underlying HBOT’s impact on the aging process.