An innovative approach to delivering oxygen could potentially save lives, stemming from a doctor’s dissatisfaction with the ventilator treatment his father received.
Although it might initially sound far-fetched, a doctor fervently supports his invention, which could be crucial when conventional ventilators are not readily at hand.
Researchers from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Ohio and the University of Osaka have been exploring the feasibility of ‘bum breathing’ as a method to enhance oxygen levels in individuals with compromised lung function.
Dr. Takanori Takebe, the pioneer of this idea, was driven to explore this alternative after witnessing the invasive nature of ventilator use, a reality he faced personally when his father developed pneumonia.
His father’s past lung surgery, having removed a portion of a lung due to previous infections, limited his treatment options if the ventilator proved insufficient.
Takebe drew inspiration from certain animals capable of absorbing oxygen through their skin, genitals, or guts.
Considering this and the dense network of blood vessels in the human intestinal tract, he theorized that oxygen could also be absorbed from the intestines into the body.
Initial experiments involved administering oxygen-rich enemas to mice and pigs, resulting in increased survival under low-oxygen conditions, as reported by Science News.
Human trials have since commenced.
The Mirror reported that 27 Japanese men received non-oxygenated enemas to assess the maximum tolerable liquid volume over an hour and any potential side effects.
Participants reported some abdominal discomfort, bloating, and mild unease.
Future trials aim to determine if oxygen can effectively reach its intended destination.
Critical care pulmonologist Kevin Gibbs initially found Takebe’s proposal surprising, noting that his work predominantly involves addressing low oxygen levels in the upper body.
Still, as per Science News, he acknowledged that should Takebe’s method prove successful, it would be beneficial in certain situations.
He commented, “What I find exciting is if this drug works … maybe you can administer this, and then all of the sudden they have this real boost in oxygen for the time it takes you to safely put someone on life support – and that would be huge.”