Effects Of Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Exposure On Breath Acetone And Urine Ketones Levels In Young Women

Abstract

Assessment of breath acetone and urine ketones levels may be an alternative procedure to evaluate change in fat metabolism. Mild hyperbaric oxygen (mHBO) exposure has been reported to improve in metabolic capacity in animal models. PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of mHBO exposure on breath acetone and urine ketones levels in young women. METHODS: A total of 7 women (22-27 years old) without a past history of medical illness or surgery were recruited for the present study. Study participants were requested to refrain from intense exercise, alcohol intake the day before the experiment and food intake 4 hours before the experiment. Participants were exposed to normobaric (1.0 ATA, 21% oxygen) and mHBO (1.3-1.4 ATA with 36-40% oxygen) conditions in a mHBO chamber (O2 Room, Japan Press Bulk Industry, Shizuoka, Japan) for 60 minutes, respectively. The level of breath acetone was evaluated using an automatic breath acetone analyzer and the concentration level of urine ketones was measured using a urine ketones analyzer. RESULTS: The level of breath acetone increased after mHBO exposure in healthy young women. The concentration level of urine ketones also increased in mHBO exposure than in normobaric condition. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that mild hyperbaric oxygen exposure may be an effective intervention to improve fat metabolism without exercise in healthy young women.