In what may sound like science fiction, researchers in the United States and Japan have safely tested a new way to deliver oxygen to the human body — through the rectum. The experimental method, known as enteral ventilation, could one day offer doctors a lifesaving alternative for patients unable to breathe normally.
The study, led by Dr. Takanori Takebe of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, explored whether oxygen could be absorbed through the lining of the intestines when introduced in a special oxygen-rich liquid. While the idea may seem unconventional, the science behind it is both logical and potentially revolutionary.
How the process works
Enteral ventilation involves introducing an oxygenated liquid — typically a perfluorocarbon compound known for its high oxygen-carrying capacity — into the rectum. The intestines, rich with blood vessels, then absorb the oxygen directly into the bloodstream. This bypasses the lungs entirely, offering a temporary oxygenation pathway when respiratory function is severely impaired.
According to the study, patients who participated in the initial human safety trial reported no serious side effects, with the most common issue being mild bloating or abdominal discomfort. The procedure was performed under medical supervision, and oxygen levels were carefully monitored throughout the experiment.
Dr. Takebe told 404 Media that the approach is not designed to replace traditional methods like mechanical ventilation or ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), but rather to complement them. “It’s an additional tool — a bridge that could help patients survive until normal breathing can resume or more advanced support becomes available,” he explained.
From animals to humans — the journey so far
This idea isn’t entirely new. In earlier stages of the research, Takebe’s team successfully demonstrated enteral ventilation in mice and pigs, showing that the intestines could effectively absorb oxygen when their lungs were disabled. Those animals, when supplied with oxygenated liquid through the rectum, were able to survive conditions that would otherwise have caused suffocation.
Encouraged by those results, the researchers proceeded to human safety testing. The goal was not to test whether the method could save lives yet, but simply to confirm that it was safe and tolerable. The results were positive — no significant complications, infections, or internal injuries were reported.
While the study remains in its early stages, these findings represent a significant step toward what could become a groundbreaking medical intervention.
Why this matters
Respiratory failure remains one of the most critical challenges in emergency medicine. Whether caused by Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), COVID-19 complications, or premature birth, the inability of patients to receive sufficient oxygen can quickly become fatal.
Traditional ventilators and ECMO machines can save lives, but they’re also complex, expensive, and not always immediately available, especially in resource-limited or emergency settings. Enteral ventilation could serve as a temporary measure — a way to buy time for patients until conventional respiratory support becomes available.
Experts say it might be particularly valuable for newborn infants, whose lungs are not yet fully developed, or for patients in remote locations where access to advanced medical equipment is limited.
Skepticism and next steps
While the study’s results are promising, scientists caution against overhyping the discovery. Enteral ventilation is still far from clinical use, and more rigorous testing on patients with actual respiratory failure is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
Dr. Takebe and his team are now planning larger-scale trials to evaluate how much oxygen can realistically be delivered this way in critical care situations. They also need to determine the limits of the method — such as how long it can safely be used, what volume of oxygenated liquid the body can handle, and whether it could lead to complications in severely ill patients.
Still, many in the medical community are intrigued. “If this works even partially in humans with respiratory distress, it could revolutionize how we manage oxygen delivery in emergencies,” said one U.S.-based pulmonologist not involved in the study. “Imagine being able to stabilize a patient in an ambulance or rural clinic before they even reach a ventilator.”
Looking ahead
If future trials prove successful, enteral ventilation could change how medicine approaches oxygen therapy. The concept might also pave the way for other innovative uses of the intestinal system — such as delivering drugs or nutrients directly into the bloodstream during critical care.
For now, the idea of breathing through the gut may sound strange. But in science, many breakthroughs begin that way. From heart transplants to artificial organs, today’s improbable experiments often become tomorrow’s medical standards.
As Dr. Takebe puts it, “The body has more than one way to sustain life — we just need to learn how to use them.”