Medical Gas Research最新文献

JOURNAL/mgres/04.03/01612956-990000000-00073/figure1/v/2026-01-23T123057Z/r/image-tiff Defects in myelination impair nerve impulse conduction and functional connectivity, which could lead to cognitive, behavioral and motor deficits in various neurological disorders. Adequate oxygen delivery is vital for brain development, while hypoxia in newborns tends to result in developmental deficiencies in myelination of the brain. The disruption of oligodendrocytes and their progenitor cells caused by hypoxia has been well researched. Nonetheless, the impairing dynamic myelination process is still unclear. Utilizing zebrafish as a model, we established hypoxia via cobalt chloride exposure or low oxygen (8%) incubation. Hypoxia significantly reduced oligodendrocyte progenitor cell numbers in the dorsal spinal cord, impaired migration velocity and suppressed proliferation. Myelination deficits were evident through decreased myelin sheath segment intensity in Tg(MBP:eGFP-CAAX) larvae. Time-lapse imaging revealed compromised dynamic myelination by individual oligodendrocytes under hypoxia, with fewer sheaths and reduced extension rates. Mechanistically, hypoxia elevated reactive oxygen species levels and disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential in cultured rat oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. Nanoscale magnesium hydride, a hydrogen-releasing agent, attenuated these effects. In vivo, magnesium hydride treatment rescued oligodendrocyte progenitor cell numbers and enhanced myelinogenesis capacity in hypoxic zebrafish. These findings demonstrate that magnesium hydride mitigates hypoxia-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, thereby alleviating myelination deficits.

JOURNAL/mgres/04.03/01612956-990000000-00074/figure1/v/2026-01-23T103409Z/r/image-tiff As a non-invasive and drug-free treatment method, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been applied in cerebrovascular accidents to improve cerebral hypoxia, reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury following stroke and promote neural repair. However, its clinical efficacy remains controversial. This work aims to analyze the progress of research on the role of hyperbaric oxygen in stroke through bibliometric methods and takes relevant literature from the Web of Science core database from 2007 to December 31, 2024. The results showed that from 2007 to the present, the annual number of English publications in this field has shown a fluctuating but gradual upward trend, with the peak in publication volume occurring in 2015. China is in a leading position in this field, but there is still a lack of international cooperation and high-impact journal articles from Chinese institutions and researchers. The top five keywords were "hyperbaric oxygen" (84 occurrences), "stroke" (46 occurrences), "hyperbaric oxygen therapy" (45 occurrences), "focal cerebral ischemia" (27 occurrences), and "cerebral ischemia" (26 occurrences). A total of 13 major research areas were identified, including #0 stem cells, #1 hyperbaric oxygen, #2 perfusion, #3 EPR oximetry, #4 tPA, #5 rehabilitation, #6 acute stroke, #7 TBI, #8 stroke medicine, #9 hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning, #10 preconditioning, #11 ischemia-reperfusion injury, and #12 hyperbaric. At present, there are relatively few clinical trials registered on hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of stroke. Due to the fact that the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy depends on the type and timing of stroke, there is currently no unified standard for the optimal timing and duration of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Overall, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is safe and reliable, with most adverse reactions being mild and reversible. In summary, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has significant neuroprotective and functional recovery potential in stroke patients.

Fournier's gangrene is a rare, rapidly progressive necrotizing soft tissue infection of the genitals and perineum that continues to carry a high mortality rate. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been proposed as an adjunctive treatment, but its efficacy remains uncertain. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing hyperbaric oxygen therapy with standard care in adults with Fournier's gangrene. A comprehensive search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science identified thirteen retrospective studies including 322 patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and 366 controls. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was associated with a significantly lower mortality rate compared with control groups. Secondary outcomes, including hospital length of stay and number of debridements, showed inconsistent results and did not differ significantly between groups. These findings suggest that hyperbaric oxygen therapy may reduce mortality in patients with Fournier's gangrene and could be considered as an adjunctive therapy. FactsA meta-analysis demonstrated hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduces the relative risk of death in patients suffering from Fournier's gangrene.The present study has revealed no statistically significant differences in terms of hospital length of stay or the number of surgical debridements in patients with Fournier's gangrene between the hyperbaric oxygen therapy and control groups.The extant evidence supports the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an ancillary measure of Fournier's gangrene following prompt surgical debridement and antimicrobial therapy, rather than as a primary treatment modality.Open questionsWhat are the optimal hyperbaric oxygen treatment protocols (pressure, duration, number of sessions) for patients with Fournier's gangrene?Which patient subgroups (e.g. comorbidities, infection severity) derive the most benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy?How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy affect resource utilization and cost-effectiveness, particularly in healthcare systems with limited hyperbaric infrastructure?

Vascular dementia is a highly heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder induced by a variety of factors. Currently, there are no definitive treatments for the cognitive dysfunction associated with vascular dementia. However, early detection and preventive measures have proven effective in reducing the risk of onset and improving patient prognosis. Nitric oxide plays an integral role in various physiological and pathological processes within the central nervous system. In recent years, nitric oxide has been implicated in the regulation of synaptic plasticity and has emerged as a crucial factor in the pathophysiology of vascular dementia. At different stages of vascular dementia, nitric oxide levels and bioavailability undergo dynamic alterations, with a marked reduction in the later stages, which significantly contributes to the cognitive deficits associated with the disease. This review provides a comprehensive review of the emerging role of nitric oxide in the physiological and pathological processes underlying vascular dementia, focusing on its effects on synaptic dysfunction, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and blood‒brain barrier integrity. Furthermore, we suggest that targeting the nitric oxide soluble guanylate cyclase-cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway through specific therapeutic strategies may offer a novel approach for treating vascular dementia, potentially improving both cognitive function and patient prognosis. The review contributes to a better understanding of the multifaceted role of nitric oxide in vascular dementia and to offering insights into future therapeutic interventions.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has emerged as a potential adjunctive treatment for male infertility, as it targets various sperm abnormalities and improves fertility outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized data from randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in treating male infertility. A comprehensive literature search identified nine eligible studies, which were assessed for quality using the Jadad scale and analyzed for heterogeneity. The meta-analysis revealed significant improvements in sperm survival, density, morphology, normal sperm rates, and motility following hyperbaric oxygen therapy, with an increased clinical pregnancy rate. Subgroup analyses based on infertility etiology and treatment duration further elucidated the heterogeneity of male infertility stemming from the etiology of infertility. Despite the high robustness of the meta-analysis results, the study is limited by the small number of included trials and potential publication bias. In conclusion, when combined with conventional treatments, hyperbaric oxygen therapy significantly enhances sperm parameters and fertility, underscoring its role as an effective adjunctive therapy for male infertility.

Numerous physiological processes in the human skin are mediated by nitric oxide, a gaseous signalling molecule. Almost every type of skin cell may produce nitric oxide, it is possible to generate nitric oxide without the need of enzymes. Nitric oxide plays a crucial role in regulating apoptosis, keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation, the protective properties of the epidermal barrier, and the structure and functions of the microcirculatory bed. Nitric oxide is involved in immunological and inflammatory responses, hair growth regulation, and wound healing processes. It mediates ultraviolet-induced processes such as erythema and edema development and participates in melanogenesis. Furthermore, the ability of nitric oxide to bind reactive oxygen species and prevent lipid peroxidation gives it antioxidant qualities. This coordinated action of nitric oxide on gene expression and membrane integrity effectively protects cells from ultraviolet A-induced apoptosis and necrosis. Furthermore, nitric oxide can be considered as a molecule that inhibits the development of cancer and photoaging. It directly harms microorganisms and indirectly activates the immune system, exhibiting antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal qualities. Notably, nitric oxide is effective against antibiotics-resistant bacteria. All of the aforementioned findings suggest that nitric oxide is a gaseous mediator that can protect skin function.