Effect of Drinking Oxygenated Water Assessed by in vivo MRI Relaxometry

Grant Support This project was funded by the Research Council of Norway. Background Oxygen uptake through the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration of oxygenated water in humans is not well studied and is debated in the literature. Due to the paramagnetic properties of oxygen and deoxyhemoglobin, MRI as a technique might be able to detect changes in relaxometry values caused by increased oxygen levels in the blood. Purpose To assess whether oxygen dissolved in water is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and transported into the bloodstream after oral administration. Study Type A randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled crossover trial. Population/Subjects Thirty healthy male volunteers age 20–35. Field Strength/Sequence 3T/Modified Look–Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) T1‐mapping and multi fast field echo (mFFE) T2*‐mapping. Assessment Each volunteer was scanned in two separate sessions. T1 and T2* maps were acquired repeatedly covering the hepatic portal vein (HPV) and vena cava inferior (VCI, control vein) before and after intake of oxygenated or control water. Assessments were done by placing a region of interest in the HPV and VCI. Statistical Test A mixed linear model was performed to the compare control vs. oxygen group. Results Drinking caused a mean 1.6% 95% CI (1.1–2.0% P