Researchers Tested Rectal Oxygen Therapy in Humans
A 2025 study evaluated the safety of using perfluorodecalin in the gut for potential respiratory support applications.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Asthma
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On October 20, 2025, researchers published the results of a human safety trial involving the administration of oxygen-free perfluorodecalin into the rectums of 27 healthy men. The study aimed to assess whether humans could safely retain the liquid as a potential method for enteral ventilation.
Why it matters
This research explores whether the gut can be used to provide oxygen to the body, a technique that could eventually offer a lifesaving alternative for patients with acute respiratory failure. The success of this safety trial provides a foundation for future studies using oxygenated liquids to potentially improve blood oxygen levels.
The study involved 27 healthy men who received liquid doses ranging from 25 milliliters to 1,500 milliliters. No clinically significant changes were observed in liver or kidney markers following the procedure.
The players
EVA Therapeutics
This organization provided the funding for the research trial investigating enteral ventilation techniques.
Nagoya University
Researchers from this institution led the safety trial conducted in Japan.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Staff affiliated with this pediatric facility participated in the collaborative research effort.
University of Galway
A consulting lung specialist from this university provided medical expertise for the study.
The details
Volunteers held the perfluorodecalin in their rectums for durations of up to one hour while researchers monitored them for tolerance and blood markers. While participants reported mild abdominal pain and urgency, the trial met its safety objectives to facilitate further development of the technology.
Timeline
2021: Research team found mice and pigs absorbed rectal oxygen.
2023: Study found technique increased oxygen in pigs.
2024: Enteral ventilation concept won an Ig Nobel Prize.
October 20, 2025: Human trial results appeared online.
December 12, 2025: Human trial results appeared in print.
Health Landscape
This study follows previous animal research to test if the intestinal tract can function as a supplemental respiratory organ. It bridges the gap between early laboratory experiments and the potential future use of enteral oxygenation for patients with critical lung conditions.
This experimental procedure currently poses no immediate changes to standard medical treatments for the average person. However, future successful iterations could eventually provide a new, non-invasive therapeutic option for patients unable to receive adequate oxygen through traditional ventilation.
The takeaway
The study demonstrates that humans can tolerate the presence of perfluorodecalin in the gut, marking a step toward testing its efficacy in oxygen transport. Continued research is required to determine if this method can provide a viable clinical benefit for patients struggling to breathe.
What happens next
Researchers plan to conduct future trials using fully oxygenated perfluorodecalin to measure its impact on blood oxygen levels, with the eventual goal of adapting the technology for newborn care.
Further reading
For additional context on respiratory treatments and lung health, visit our page on Asthma.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medical Daily.
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