The Role of VEGF and TNF-Alpha on Epithelialization of Diabetic Foot Ulcers after Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

BACKGROUND: Around 15-25% of diabetes mellitus (DM) patients will develop diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) with high morbidity, many studies have been proposed to search the most effective healing techniques. AIM: This study was conducted to demonstrate the ability of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as a complementary therapy in DFUs healing through raising vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels and suppressing tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). METHODS: All patients received the same treatment including wound debridement and wound care, but the patients in the HBOT group, breathed 100% oxygen at 2.4 ATA for 90 minutes in total of 20 sessions (four weeks). RESULT: There were 32 diabetic patients with DFUs Wagner 3-4. VEGF levels after four weeks of HBOT was significantly elevated compared to the control group (p = 0.013). The effect size of VEGF levels was p = 0.005. TNF-α levels after four weeks of therapy were decreased (p = 0.01). Faster epithelialization is seen in the HBOT group (p < 0.001). We also performed path analysis, HBOT had a significant effect on the epithelialization (p < 0.001) and VEGF levels affected the epithelialization process (p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: HBOT administration leads to increased VEGF levels, decreased TNF-α levels, and accelerated wound healing of DFUs patients. HBOT directly aids epithelialization and indirectly through VEGF upsurge and TNF-α downturn.