Endothelial Dysfunction and Cardiovascular Disease: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as an Emerging Therapeutic Modality?
Tanja Batinac1,2, Lara Batičić3, Antea Kršek4
1Department of Clinical Medical Sciences I, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Viktora Cara Emina 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
Insights
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) shows promise for cardiovascular health by improving endothelial function and reducing risk factors like diabetes and obesity. This therapy aids in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases through various beneficial mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Endothelial Biology
- Hyperbaric Medicine
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death worldwide, often linked to endothelial dysfunction and damage to the endothelial glycocalyx.
- Risk factors such as diabetes, obesity, and chronic kidney disease exacerbate endothelial dysfunction, leading to conditions like atherosclerosis and hypertension.
- Maintaining vascular homeostasis is critical for preventing CVD and associated thrombo-inflammatory conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review the role of the vascular endothelium and glycocalyx in cardiovascular health.
- To summarize the therapeutic potential of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for cardiovascular risk factors and diseases.
- To explore the mechanisms and evidence behind HBOT's effects on endothelial function and cardiovascular outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing current evidence on endothelial function and cardiovascular disease.
- Analysis of studies investigating the mechanisms of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
- Examination of HBOT's impact on angiogenesis, immune modulation, antioxidant defenses, stem cell activity, and cardiovascular risk factors.
Main Results:
- HBOT demonstrates potential benefits by promoting angiogenesis, exhibiting antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects, enhancing antioxidant defenses, and stimulating stem cell activity.
- Evidence suggests HBOT can improve endothelial dysfunction, cardiac function, atherosclerosis, plaque stability, and endothelial integrity.
- HBOT may alleviate cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension, aging effects, obesity, and dysregulated glucose metabolism, while also benefiting ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Conclusions:
- HBOT offers significant therapeutic potential for cardiovascular diseases by improving endothelial function and mitigating risk factors.
- Understanding HBOT's molecular mechanisms and effects on vascular homeostasis can guide innovative treatment strategies.
- Further research is needed to balance HBOT's benefits against potential risks like oxidative stress and oxygen toxicity.
Abstract:
Maintaining the physiological function of the vascular endothelium and endothelial glycocalyx is crucial for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, which is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Damage to these structures can lead to atherosclerosis, hypertension, and other cardiovascular problems, especially in individuals with risk factors such as diabetes and obesity. Endothelial dysfunction is associated with ischemic disease and has a negative impact on overall cardiovascular health. The aim of this review was to comprehensively summarize the crucial role of the vascular endothelium and glycocalyx in cardiovascular health and associated thrombo-inflammatory conditions. It highlights how endothelial dysfunction, influenced by factors such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and obesity, leads to adverse cardiovascular outcomes, including heart failure. Recent evidence suggests that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may offer therapeutic benefits in the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors and disease. This review presents the current evidence on the mechanisms by which HBOT promotes angiogenesis, shows antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects, enhances antioxidant defenses, and stimulates stem cell activity. The latest findings on important topics will be presented, including the effects of HBOT on endothelial dysfunction, cardiac function, atherosclerosis, plaque stability, and endothelial integrity. In addition, the role of HBOT in alleviating cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, aging, obesity, and glucose metabolism regulation is discussed, along with its impact on inflammation in cardiovascular disease and its potential benefit in ischemia-reperfusion injury. While HBOT demonstrates significant therapeutic potential, the review also addresses potential risks associated with excessive oxidative stress and oxygen toxicity. By combining information on the molecular mechanisms of HBOT and its effects on the maintenance of vascular homeostasis, this review provides valuable insights into the development of innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at protecting and restoring endothelial function to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases.
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