Abstract: SA-PO1142
Acute Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Kidney Tubular Health Biomarkers: A Prospective Pilot Study
Session Information
- CKD: Progression, Drugs, Modalities, and Environmental Factors
November 08, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: CKD (Non-Dialysis)
- 2301 CKD (Non-Dialysis): Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention
Authors
- Lee, Adrian, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States
- Wong, Angela, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States
- Guerrero, Felipe, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, United States
- Hepokoski, Mark, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, United States
- Rifkin, Dena E., VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, United States
- Bullen, Alexander L., VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, United States
Background
Hypoxia plays a central role in the pathogenesis of kidney disease and may trigger a decline in kidney function. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which enhances oxygen delivery to affected tissues, may have the potential to improve kidney function; however, its impact on kidney function in humans remains understudied. This pilot study aimed to evaluate acute changes in kidney tubular function, injury, and mitochondrial stress biomarkers after HBOT.
Methods
Participants undergoing HBOT for clinical indications at one of the two hyperbaric centers at UC San Diego were recruited. Tubular function biomarkers (alpha-1 microglobulin [α1-m]), epidermal growth factor [EGF], and uromodulin [UMOD]), injury biomarkers (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin [NGAL], Dickkopf-related protein 3 [DKK3], tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 [TIMP-2], insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 [IGFBP7]), and mitochondrial DNA [mtDNA] were measured. Given skewed distributions, we log-base-2 transformed each biomarker. Biomarker changes were assessed using paired t-test.
Results
Among 25 patients enrolled, the mean age was 65 years, 16% were female, and the mean eGFR was 85 mL/min/1.73 m2. Participants received HBOT sessions at 2.4 atmospheres absolute for 90 minutes. Post-HBOT, EGF significantly increased (p=0.03). UMOD and α1m also increased, but did not reach statistical significance. None of the tubular injury markers or mtDNA had significant changes.
Conclusion
HBOT was associated with acute improvements in kidney tubular function biomarkers, particularly EGF, suggesting potential regenerative effects on kidney health. Further large-scale, controlled studies are warranted to investigate the long-term benefits and better understand the therapeutic role of HBOT in kidney disease management.
Kidney tubular biomarkers pre and post-HBOT
| Biomarker | Median pre-HBOT | Median post-HBOT | p-value | |
| Tubular Function | a1m | 11.9 | 12.4 | 0.18 |
| EGF | 12.2 | 12.7 | 0.03 | |
| UMOD | 21.4 | 21.9 | 0.26 | |
| Tubular Injury | NGAL | 15 | 12.4 | 0.35 |
| DKK3 | 9.4 | 9.5 | 0.93 | |
| TIMP2 | 10.3 | 10.4 | 0.51 | |
| IGFBP7 | 17.5 | 17.4 | 0.75 | |
| Mitochondrial | mtDNA | 5.0 | 5.2 | 0.52 |
Funding
- Veterans Affairs Support