[Changes and its measurement of intracellular Ca2+ during exposure to hyperbaric oxygen]

Objective. To investigate the rule of change of intracellular Ca2+ and its measurement method during exposure to hyperbaric oxygen (HBO). Method. Microfluorescence method was used to measure the changes of intracellular Ca2+ concentration in co-cultured endothelial cells (EC) and smooth muscle cells (SMC) in a specially designed miniature oxygen chamber. Result. (1) [Ca2+]i changes during HBO exposure can be clearly observed directly in the chamber. (2) Within 5 min during 0.2 MPa and 0.3 MPa HBO exposure, EC[Ca2+]i and SMC[Ca2+]i showed a tendency, to increase at first and then decrease with time throughout the exposures, especially the SMC[Ca2+]i. The EC ruptured under exposure to 0.4 MPa HBO. Conclusion. During HBO exposure, EC[Ca2+]i and SMC[Ca2+]i showed biphasic changes, which increased at first and then decreased. The technique and method used were reliable and suitable for investigating of intracellular [Ca2+]i changes under HBO.