The Protective Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen on Ionising Radiation Injury: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on treating ionising radiation injuries and discusses its applicability to space exploration. As human missions venture beyond Earth's magnetic field, astronauts are increasingly exposed to harmful levels of ionising radiation, posing significant health risks. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which has been traditionally used for treating diving illnesses and refractory wounds, could also be used to mitigate the effects of ionising radiation. A comprehensive systematic literature search was conducted using the Ovid and PubMed (MEDLINE) databases. Studies were examined to assess the effect of HBOT on different anatomical regions exposed to ionising radiation. Study quality was determined using the Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Nonrandomized Studies (RoBANS), with random-effect estimates performed in R. While HBOT upregulates signalling factors beneficial for healing, only modest physical changes are seen at the cellular or tissue level on the timescales employed in current research. HBOT has potential benefits in the abdominal-pelvic and lower limb regions but complexities of HBOT's effects on bone health may invoke risks, such as radio-sensitisation of the spinal cord. While HBOT may offer some therapeutic benefits, its application to space flight requires careful consideration due to the unique challenges of space and the whole-body nature of space radiation. Effective strategies for maintaining astronaut health and safety during long-duration deep-space missions are still required.