You’ve probably never thought about breathing any other way than through your nose or mouth. Why would you? That’s just how it works.
But what if the unthinkable happened — a blocked airway, collapsed lungs, or respiratory failure — and traditional breathing simply wasn’t an option?
That’s exactly the kind of scenario a team of researchers in Japan and the U.S. are quietly preparing for.
In a groundbreaking human trial, scientists have taken the first cautious steps toward an alternative method of oxygen intake. And yes, it’s just as bizarre as it sounds — but the science behind it is surprisingly solid.
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A workaround for damaged lungs
The method is called enteral ventilation. It’s not about sucking air in through the wrong end — rather, it involves introducing an oxygen-rich liquid into the large intestine, allowing the body to absorb life-sustaining oxygen through the gut lining.
Researchers believe this backup route could offer a lifeline in situations where conventional breathing fails.
Earlier animal studies, which earned a 2024 Ig Nobel Prize for their out-of-the-box thinking, showed that mammals like pigs and mice could survive when ventilated rectally using oxygenated fluid.
Now, for the first time, the concept has been tested on humans — not to deliver oxygen yet, but to check safety.
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Led by Dr. Takanori Takebe of Osaka University and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, the trial involved 27 healthy men who were given measured doses of a synthetic compound called perfluorocarbon into their intestines. This substance is known for its ability to carry and deliver high levels of oxygen.
None of the participants experienced severe side effects. The most common reactions were abdominal bloating and mild discomfort, indicating that the procedure was generally well tolerated.
Researchers now aim to move toward trials using the oxygenated version of the fluid, which will allow them to study how efficiently oxygen can be delivered into the bloodstream through this method.
The science behind the strange
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) have long been used in medicine and research due to their unique properties. They can hold large amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide, making them useful in certain types of liquid ventilation.
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What makes the rectal route so intriguing is that the colon’s surface is highly vascularized — meaning it's lined with tiny blood vessels capable of absorbing gases under the right conditions.
This approach isn’t about creating a sci-fi substitute for lungs. It’s being explored as a potential stopgap — a temporary measure in emergencies, during surgeries, or in specific respiratory conditions where time is critical and oxygen is scarce.
Some even believe the technology could be adapted for neonatal care, where fragile lungs can make traditional ventilation risky.
What’s next?
The team’s initial goal was to prove that the procedure could be done safely in humans, and that milestone now appears to be achieved.
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The next phase will focus on effectiveness: how much oxygen can be delivered, how quickly, and how reliably.
If successful, enteral ventilation could represent a revolutionary backup option in modern medicine — unconventional, yes, but possibly life-saving when all other methods fail.
The article is based on information from Videnskab.dk
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