Efficacy of repeated hyperbaric oxygenation courses in therapy of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Repeated courses of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) were administered to 39 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) aged 28.2±11.3 years on an average and mean diabetes duration 5.7±0.5 years without body mass excess, administered insulin in daily dose 35.5±10.1. Control group consisted of 8 IDDM patients matched for clinical parameters and administered no treatment. Daily glucosuri'a, glycemia, HbAi, blood levels of e-peptide, glucagon, STH, and hydrocortisone were measured in the test group and controls before and after HBO course and every 2 months of a years’s follow-up. Repeated courses of HBO administered to IDDM patients during a year are much more effective than a single course as regards diabetes compensation, reduction of insulin consumption, recovery of residual insulin secretion, and suppression of secretion of contrinsular hormones glucagon, STH, and hydrocortisone. Three courses of HBO therapy administered to IDDM patients at 4 months intervals are more effective than two courses with a 6 month interval; at the same time, in a three course modality the maximal positive effect of HBO on the hormonal metabolic status is attained during the second course, and the third course just fortifies the attained effect.