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Mammals can breathe through their intestines (2021)

science.org

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Re: Mammals can breathe through their intestines (2021)

#11
post #2

This reminds me of the scene in The Abyss where the rat is forced to breathe in oxygen-rich perfluorocarbons[1]. I think this idea of introducing oxygen through perfluorocarbons has been explored but not sure it’s made much headway in humans to date [2]. This paper seems like a clever idea to introduce the liquid anally where oxygen can diffuse through the linings, and to also use same liquid (because of its viscosit…

Research on perfluorocarbons in humans progressed into several inventions. Being immersed is not one, but increasing air transfer within the lungs using a spray, reducing the impact of the bends through an injection, or reducing incidence of traumatic brain injuries due to swelling is a third.

There's quite a large group of doctors out there researching them.

Re: Mammals can breathe through their intestines (2021)

#17

dumb question -- is it not possible to just directly oxygenate blood? like what stops having a special IV that takes blood out, oxygenates it, and puts it back in?

Yes, it's entirely possible; it's called ECMO. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extracorporeal_membrane_oxygen...

It's very risky and requires a nurse at the bedside 24/7, so it's a last-ditch sort of intervention.

Re: Mammals can breathe through their intestines (2021)

#18

dumb question -- is it not possible to just directly oxygenate blood? like what stops having a special IV that takes blood out, oxygenates it, and puts it back in?

It is and they do: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extracorporeal_membrane_oxygen...

Re: Mammals can breathe through their intestines (2021)

#20

dumb question -- is it not possible to just directly oxygenate blood? like what stops having a special IV that takes blood out, oxygenates it, and puts it back in?

I'm not advocating it, but intravenous ozone is a treatment offered by some alternative medical practitioners, as is rectal ozone.
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