Letter to the Editor: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy's Potential Contribution to a New Vision of Transformative Medical Research via the NIH to Make America Healthy Again
Visit New vision of transformative medical research via NIH to make America healthy again(MAHA) is based on four priorities:
1- Preventing, reversing and treating iatrogenic diseases
2- Tackling the national mental health crisis
3- Combating diabetes and metabolic disorders
4- Mitigate the rise in autoimmune diseases.
Although research is essential, its long lead time prevents its results from being implemented in the restricted window of 2 to 4 years envisaged by the New Vision. Effective treatment of diseases 1 to 4 could have a rapid impact, and the only therapy with the potential to stand alone and hyperbaric therapy / hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
Hyperbaric therapy: 362 years of history and over 132 indications
Hyperbaric Therapy (HT) / Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a 362-year-old therapy applied to over 132 conditions. It treats the common pathophysiology of acute and chronic wounds, as well as many inflammatory conditions.
Comprising an increase in barometric pressure and hyperoxia, it exploits the sensitivity of all living organisms to changes in pressure and oxygen. Applied intermittently, it has a profound effect on the pathophysiology of many diseases.
HBOT's core mechanism is its ability to epigenetic DNA signalling, discovered in 2009-2010.
In two experiments, HBOT demonstrated independent, complementary and interactive effects of increased pressure and oxygen pressure on 8,101 of the 19,000 protein-coding genes (40.3 %) in human chromosomes.
The main effects observed :
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activation of anti-inflammatory and growth/repair genes,
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temporary inhibition of pro-inflammatory genes and programmed cell death genes.
These discoveries explain centuries of clinical use: inhibiting inflammation, stimulating tissue repair and stopping programmed cell death.
Potential impact on the four pillars of the New Vision
1. Prevent, reverse and treat iatrogenic diseases
HBOT's effectiveness against iatrogenic diseases depends in part on its ability to predict them.
For unpredictable medical errors - often associated with inflammatory and «injury» processes - a vast literature documents the efficacy of HBOT in the treatment of hypoxic/ischemic reperfusion injury (RI), particularly those mediated by white blood cells.
Six of the fifteen indications reimbursed by HBOT in the United States are primarily related to the treatment of IR:
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decompression,
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gas embolism,
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carbon monoxide poisoning,
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compromised flaps and grafts,
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acute arterial insufficiency,
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thermal burns.
HBOT also plays a protective role before anticipated stress: this is the concept of pre-conditioning.
For example, HBOT treatment prior to experimental CO intoxication reduced the severity of reperfusion injury.
This pre-conditioning can reduce complications during :
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surgery with interruption of blood flow,
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tourniquet fitting,
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organ transplantation,
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major traumas,
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urgent revascularization, etc.
2. Tackling the mental health crisis
To understand the impact of HBOT on mental health, we need to consider the biological model of psychiatry.
If psychiatric disorders stem from organic disturbances in the brain, often linked to stress or injury, they can be reactive to HBOT.
Studies on mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) show a reduction :
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depression,
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anxiety,
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symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
A systematic review concluded that HBOT brings significant improvements in several randomized controlled trials.
These findings suggest that PTSD can no longer be viewed solely as a «psychiatric» illness.
HBOT could immediately improve the mental health of many Americans, particularly veterans affected by the suicide epidemic.
The impact could be even greater for the persistent post-concussion syndrome, defined as a psychiatric disorder despite clear evidence of structural brain damage.
3. Combating diabetes and metabolic disorders
HBOT has shown significant benefit in diabetic foot wounds, one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization in diabetics.
Major lower limb amputations have a 3-year mortality of 64 to 71 %.
In multiple controlled trials, HBOT has :
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accelerated healing,
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reduces the number of major amputations.
Despite Medicare reimbursement since 2002, only 6.36 % of veteran amputees have received HBOT.
Correct application of HBOT could immediately improve the health of this population.
4. Mitigate the rise in autoimmune diseases
Reducing autoimmune diseases requires a reduction in toxic environmental exposures - an effort that will take years.
Meanwhile, HBOT can alleviate autoimmune disorders characterized by chronic systemic or local inflammation.
Gene studies show that HBOT has extensive immunomodulatory effects on both normal and inflammatory cells.
Given that inflammation contributes to 8 of the 10 leading causes of death in the US, HBOT could affect a wide range of diseases.
HBOT could also contribute to the treatment of :
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severe acute COVID-19,
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post-COVID syndrome,
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post-viral brain fog,
with promising results already seen in Wuhan.
Added significance: applying HBOT to chronic neurological disorders
Neurological disorders such as :
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TBI,
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birth injuries / asphyxia,
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cerebral palsy,
share the same pathophysiology as the inflammatory conditions traditionally treated by HBOT.
An HBOT applied in 1963 to apneic neonates not resuscitated allowed a recovery and a return home of 54 % of them.
More recent studies support these findings.
In the case of cerebral palsy, studies have shown that HBOT is four times more efficient than other traditional therapies on motor function, with notable cognitive improvements.
Conclusion
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a dual-component therapy - increased pressure and increased oxygen pressure - that exploits the universal sensitivity of living organisms to both factors.
Its epigenetic effects promote :
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tissue growth,
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inhibition of inflammation,
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prevention of cell death,
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wound healing.
Studies show benefits in a wide range of human diseases, only a fraction of which are currently treated by HBOT.
On the basis of scientific data, the application of HBOT to these diseases - and more - could have an immediate impact on the four pillars of the New Vision to make America healthy again.
Article traduit du site : https://hbot.com/dr-harch-publishes-response-to-rfk-jr-s-notice-to-the-fda-regarding-prioritizing-hyperbaric-therapy-as-a-treatment-for-expansion/
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