Dear Colleagues,

The ability to maintain oxygen homeostasis is essential for survival. Effective metabolism is highly dependent on a narrow therapeutic range of oxygen. At the normal steady state, oxygen homeostasis is a dynamically regulated process. The physiological cellular demand for oxygen can vary depending on tissue requirements at a given moment.

Oxygen therapy is an integral part of the treatment of critically ill patients. The maintenance of adequate oxygen delivery to vital organs often requires the administration of supplemental oxygen, sometimes at high concentrations. Although oxygen therapy is lifesaving, it may be associated with deleterious effects when administered for prolonged periods at high concentrations. Due to the multiple characteristics of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, the possible applications of this procedure are numerous. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy may be used as an urgent treatment for acute pathologies but also as additional support for individuals with chronic diseases. Despite the multiple applications of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, it is equally important to consider its potential adverse effects and underlying conditions. Despite its benefits, there are still certain challenges which need to be overcome to improve the current and potential applications of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

At the same time, the employment of antioxidant supplementation in various conditions, either antioxidants used as a free radical scavengers, enzymatic or non-enzymatic antioxidative defense, or to treat already obtained oxidative damage, showed significant beneficial effects in tissue repair and preservation under various pathophysiological conditions.

However, the interaction between the HBO and AO has not been sufficiently evaluated yet.   

The aim of this Special Issue is to present novel findings and additional insight into the cellular and molecular pathways behind conducted oxygen equilibrium alterations, by means of both oxygen therapy and AO supplementation, taking into account both experimental and clinical studies. 

Research highlighting the molecular mechanisms of interference between therapeutic protocols with the aim to re-establish oxidative equilibrium under various pathophysiological conditions is welcome.

We invite the submission of original research articles (preclinical and clinical), review articles, and case reports.

Dr. Nemanja Jovicic
Dr. Gvozden L. Rosic
Dr. Dragica Selakovic
Guest Editors

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• oxidative stress
• HBO
• AO
• immunomodulation
• tissue repair