Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Ameliorates Insulin Resistance

Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Ameliorates Insulin Resistance

Obesity is an epidemic in Western society and is the biggest risk factor for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The investigators have preliminary evidence showing that hyperbaric oxygen therapy rapidly increases insulin sensitivity in humans. This requires confirmation in a larger population, and with this study the investigators will also test for mechanisms how this occurs. The investigators suspect that modulation of hypoxia and stress response proteins following changes in tissue oxygenation may contribute to these improvements. This study has the potential to yield new and important insights into the insulin resistance in obesity.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Obese men with and without type 2 diabetes aged 45-70
• Lean men without type 2 diabetes aged 45-70

Exclusion Criteria:

• smokers
• claustrophobic
• sleep apnoea
• blood donor
• exercise more than 2 times per week
• under certain medications eg: bleomycin,corticosteroid