HBOT and Stem cells

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TREATMENTHyperbaric Oxygen Treatments Mobilize Stem Cells Reviewed by: Dr. Priya Saxena University of Pennsylvania School ofMedicine http://www.rxpgnews.com/article_3086.shtml "We found that hyperbaric oxygen mobilizes stem/progenitor cellsbecause it increases synthesis of a molecule called nitric oxide in the bonemarrow. This synthesis is thought to trigger enzymes that mediatestem/progenitor cell release." According to a study to be published in the American Journal ofPhysiology-Heart and Circulation Physiology, a typical course of hyperbaricoxygen treatments increases by eight-fold the number of stem cellscirculating in a patient's body. Stem cells, also called progenitor cellsare crucial to

injury repair. The study currently appears on-line and isscheduled for publication in the April 2006 edition of the American Journal. Stem cells exist in the bone marrow of human beings and animals andare capable of changing their nature to become part of many different organsand tissues. In response to injury, these cells move from the bone marrow tothe injured sites, where they differentiate into cells that assist in thehealing process. The movement, or mobilization, of stem cells can betriggered by a variety of stimuli - including pharmaceutical agents andhyperbaric oxygen treatments. Where as drugs are associated with a host ofside effects, hyperbaric oxygen treatments carry a significantly lower riskof such effects. "This is the safest way clinically to increase stem cell circulation,far safer than any of the pharmaceutical options,"

said Thom, MD,Ph.D., Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of PennsylvaniaSchool of Medicine and lead author of the study. "This study providesinformation on the fundamental mechanisms for hyperbaric oxygen and offers anew theoretical therapeutic option for mobilizing stem cells." "We reproduced the observations from humans in animals in order toidentify the mechanism for the hyperbaric oxygen effect," added Thom. "Wefound that hyperbaric oxygen mobilizes stem/progenitor cells because itincreases synthesis of a molecule called nitric oxide in the bone marrow.This synthesis is thought to trigger enzymes that mediate stem/progenitorcell release." Hopefully, future study of hyperbaric oxygen's role in mobilizing stemcells will provide a wide array of treatments for combating injury anddisease.