Bekheit M, Baddour N, Katri K, Taher Y, El Tobgy K, Mousa E, et al.
BMJ open gastroenterology. Date of publication 2016 Apr 28;volume 3(1):e000082.
1. BMJ Open Gastroenterol. 2016 Apr 28;3(1):e000082. doi:
10.1136/bmjgast-2016-000082. eCollection 2016.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy stimulates colonic stem cells and induces mucosal
healing in patients with refractory ulcerative colitis: a prospective case
series.
Bekheit M(1), Baddour N(2), Katri K(3), Taher Y(4), El Tobgy K(5), Mousa E(3).
Author information:
(1)Department of Surgery, El Kabbary General Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt;
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria Main University Hospital,
Alexandria, Egypt.
(2)Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine , Alexandria Main University
Hospital , Alexandria , Egypt.
(3)Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine , Alexandria Main University
Hospital , Alexandria , Egypt.
(4)Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine , Alexandria Main
University Hospital , Alexandria , Egypt.
(5)Department of Hyperbaric Medicine , Naval Hospital , Alexandria , Egypt.
BACKGROUND: Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is used as part of treatment in a variety of
clinical conditions. Its use in the treatment of ulcerative colitis has been
reported in few clinical reports.
OBJECTIVE: We report the effect of HBO on refractory ulcerative colitis exploring
one potential mechanism of action.
DESIGN: A review of records of patients with refractory ulcerative colitis who
received HBO was conducted. Clinical and histopathological scoring was utilised
to evaluate the response to HBO therapy (HBOT).
RESULTS: All patients manifested clinical improvement by the 40th cycle of HBOT.
The median number of stool frequency dropped from seven motions/day (range=3-20)
to 1/day (range=0.5-3), which was significant (z=-4.6, p<0.001). None of the
patients manifested persistent blood passage after HBOT (z=-3.2, p=0.002). The
severity index significantly improved after HBOT (z=-4.97, p<0.001).
Histologically, a significant reduction of the scores of activity was recorded
accompanied by a significant increase in the proliferating cell nuclear antigen
labelling index of the CD44 cells of the colonic mucosa (p=0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: HBOT is effective in the setting of refractory ulcerative colitis.
The described protocol is necessary for successful treatment. HBOT stimulates
colonic stem cells to promote healing.
DOI: 10.1136/bmjgast-2016-000082
PMCID: PMC4860723
PMID: 27195128
