Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the fatty acid composition and IGFBP-1 in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus adult patients: a pilot study

Abstract Background The metabolic changes in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) impair vasodilatation, and this leads to tissue hypoxia and microvascular pathology. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can significantly improve the outcome of ischemic conditions in IDDM patients and reduce vascular complications. Objective The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of HBOT on the plasma fatty acid (FA) composition and expression of insulin growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) in IDDM patients. Method The study included 24 adult IDDM patients diagnosed with peripheral vascular complications. Patients were exposed to 10 sessions of 100% oxygen inhalation at 2.4 atmosphere absolute for 1 h. Blood samples were collected at the admission and after HBOT for the measurement of metabolic parameters, FA composition, and IGFBP-1. Measurement of the plasma FA composition was determined by gas chromatography. Expression of IGFBP-1 in the serum was estimated by Western blot. Results HBOT decreased the blood levels of total cholesterol ( p p p p p p p p p p p p Conclusion Our results indicate that HBOT exerts beneficial effects in IDDM patients by improving the lipid profile and altering FA composition.