Exposure to Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Increases Blood Flow and Resting Energy Expenditure but not Oxidative Stress

Aims: This study examined the effects of exposure to mild hyperbaric oxygen on blood flow and resting energy expenditure.
Study Design: Clinical study.
Methods: Fourteen healthy women were exposed to mild hyperbaric conditions at 1.25 atmospheres absolute with 36.0% oxygen for 50 min. Their heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, blood flow, resting energy expenditure, derived-reactive oxygen metabolites, and biological antioxidant potential were monitored, and the values before and after exposure were compared.
Results: Heart rate decreased after exposure to mild hyperbaric oxygen. In contrast, peripheral oxygen saturation, blood flow, and resting energy expenditure increased after exposure. There were no changes in the levels of derived-reactive oxygen metabolites or biological antioxidant potential after exposure.
Conclusions: Exposure to mild hyperbaric oxygen increases blood flow and metabolism without increasing levels of oxidative stress.