Hyperbaric oxygen therapy affects insulin sensitivity/resistance by increasing adiponectin, resistin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-I in rats

BACKGROUND/AIM: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) causes insulin sensitivity, but the reason for this is not known yet. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of HBOT on insulin sensitivity via resistin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-I (PAI - I), and adiponectin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was designed using HBOT and control groups, with eight rats in each group. After 20 days of HBOT under 2.5 atmospheres for 90 min, the fasting insulin (FI), resistin, PAI-I, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance scores (HOMA–IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in the plasma were measured. The resistin, PAI-I, and adiponectin mRNA expression levels were also measured in the adipose tissue. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the FI, FPG, and HOMA-IR scores were significantly lower in the HBOT group, whereas the HDL-C and QUICKI scores were found to be higher. In addition, the resistin, adiponectin, and PAI-I mRNA expression levels were also higher in the HBOT group. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that the HBOT had regulated the FI, FPG, and HDL-C associated with metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus. Moreover, the study showed that HBOT causes insulin sensitivity by raising adiponectin.