A Novel System for Transcutaneous Application of Carbon Dioxide Causing an “Artificial Bohr Effect” in the Human Body
2011

Transcutaneous CO2 Application and the Bohr Effect

Sample size: 12 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Sakai Yoshitada, Miwa Masahiko, Oe Keisuke, Ueha Takeshi, Koh Akihiro, Niikura Takahiro, Iwakura Takashi, Lee Sang Yang, Tanaka Masaya, Kurosaka Masahiro

Primary Institution: Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine

Hypothesis

Does transcutaneous application of CO2 cause the Bohr effect in the human body?

Conclusion

The study provides evidence that transcutaneous CO2 application facilitates oxygen dissociation from hemoglobin in the human body.

Supporting Evidence

  • The rat skin experiment showed that CO2 hydrogel enhanced CO2 gas permeation through the rat skin.
  • The intracellular pH of the triceps surae muscle decreased significantly 10 min. after transcutaneous application of CO2.
  • Oxy-Hb concentration significantly decreased while deoxy-Hb concentration significantly increased after transcutaneous CO2 application.

Takeaway

This study shows that applying CO2 through the skin can help oxygen get released from blood cells, which is good for treating certain health problems.

Methodology

The study used a novel system for transcutaneous CO2 application and measured pH changes and hemoglobin concentrations in human subjects.

Potential Biases

Potential conflicts of interest due to funding from NeoChemir Inc.

Limitations

The study's findings may be influenced by the presence of myoglobin in NIRS measurements.

Participant Demographics

Five healthy male volunteers aged 23-38 and seven healthy male volunteers aged 27-40.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.0003

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0024137

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