Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Alters Gene Expression in Seniors: Prospective Study

Key Finding
In healthy older adults, a 3-month HBOT program (60 sessions, 2 ATA, 100 % O₂) induced broad blood transcriptome changes. Immediately after the 60th session, 1,912 genes were significantly altered (1,342 upregulated / 570 downregulated). Two weeks post-HBOT, 19 genes remained altered; among them, ABCA13 showed confirmed downregulation.

Why is this important?
Aging is linked to altered gene programs in inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial pathways. HBOT provides intermittent hyperoxic “pulses” (the hyperoxic–hypoxic paradox) that activate regenerative and repair pathways. This study delivers direct human evidence that HBOT measurably modulates such programs.

Study Design

• Type: Prospective, single-arm, pre–post intervention

• Site: Shamir Medical Center / Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research, Israel

• Participants: 35 enrolled; 30 completed HBOT; transcriptome data for n=27

• Age: mean 70.4 ± 3.7 years; 51.9 % male

• Protocol: 60 sessions, 5×/week over ~3 months; 2 ATA, 100 % O₂, 90 min with 3×5-min air breaks; no lifestyle/medication changes allowed

Methods

• Samples: Whole blood at baseline, control (pre-HBOT), session 60, and 10–14 days post

• Platform: Affymetrix Clariom S (~22,000 genes)

• Analysis: limma (empirical Bayes), FDR <0.01

• Validation: RT-qPCR confirmed ABCA13 findings (r = 0.782, p < 0.0001)

Results

1. Session 60 vs. Baseline

   • DEGs: 1,912 (↑1,342 / ↓570)

   • Strongest downregulated: ABCA13 (−2.28), DNAJC6, RANBP17, HBG2/HBG1, PDXDC1

2. Two weeks post-HBOT

   • DEGs: 19 (11↑ / 8↓)

   • ABCA13 remained significantly downregulated (−1.54)

   • 9 genes overlapped across both timepoints

3. Pattern: Broad but largely transient transcriptomic shifts; a subset persisted beyond treatment.

Interpretation
HBOT induces strong anti-aging gene expression signals, with broad transcriptomic shifts that mostly normalize but partially persist (notably ABCA13). Supports biological plausibility of HBOT in modulating vascular, inflammatory, and repair pathways.

Practical Relevance

• Anti-aging & Prevention: Evidence of gene-level rejuvenation signals.

• Personalization: Transcriptome profiling may help identify responders.

• Next Steps: RCTs with controls, larger cohorts, tissue-specific data, and longer follow-up.

Limitations

• Single-arm design, no placebo group

• Small sample size for omics (n=27)

• Short follow-up (10–14 days post HBOT)

• Blood-only transcriptome; tissue-specific effects unknown