Hyperbaric oxygen therapy enhances insulin sensitivity and modulates lipid metabolism in obesity, though high-quality clinical trials are needed to confirm long-term efficacy and safety.
Does hyperbaric oxygen therapy improve metabolic functions in individuals with obesity and metabolic disorders?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy shows promise as an adjunctive treatment for obesity and metabolic disorders by improving insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism, though high-quality clinical trials are needed.
Obesity is a chronic systemic disease characterised by insulin resistance, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which involves the administration of 100% oxygen under elevated atmospheric pressure, has a well-established clinical application in the treatment of non-healing wounds and ischemia, and it is currently being investigated as an adjunctive therapy for obesity and metabolic disorders. The aim of this review is to provide a critical synthesis of recent (2012-2025) evidence regarding the mechanisms of HBOT action in the human body. Furthermore, it examines the metabolic effects and safety profile of HBOT in the context of obesity, with particular attention to experimental and preliminary clinical research. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that HBOT enhances insulin sensitivity, reduces adipose tissue inflammation, and modulates lipid metabolism. The proposed mechanisms include activation of Akt/AMPK signalling and GLUT4 translocation in skeletal muscle, resulting in improved glucose uptake and oxidation, as well as stimulation of thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue. In rodent models of obesity, HBOT has been shown to reduce adipose tissue mass, improve lipid profiles, and restore normal β-oxidation of fatty acids by normalising the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1B in muscle tissue. Preliminary clinical studies in humans indicate that HBOT enhances both systemic and tissue insulin sensitivity, accompanied by improved mitochondrial function and reduced endoplasmic reticulum stress. Despite these promising findings, data on the long-term efficacy, optimal treatment protocols, and safety of HBOT in obese individuals remain limited. In conclusion, HBOT appears to be a promising adjunctive approach in the management of obesity through the multidirectional improvement in metabolic functions. However, high-quality clinical trials are required to confirm its effectiveness, durability of outcomes, and safety profile across diverse patient populations.
Karas et al. (Sun,) conducted a review in Obesity and metabolic disorders. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) was evaluated. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy enhances insulin sensitivity and modulates lipid metabolism in obesity, though high-quality clinical trials are needed to confirm long-term efficacy and safety.