Effects of 30-m nitrox saturation dive on the immune system in man

Hyperbaria reportedly affects the immune system, but the role of psychological factors arising from confinement has not been taken into consideration. We investigated the immune changes in 4 subjects exposed to a 9-day simulated 30-m (400-kPa) nitrogen-oxygen (nitrox) saturation dive, and compared the results with those of our previous study that showed immune and mood changes in normobaric confinement. Blood samples were taken before, during, and after the dive or confinement, and activated with an anti-CD2 agonistic antibody. The percentages of granulocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, and cells positive for CD69, an early activation marker, were analyzed by flow cytometry. Reduction of CD69 expression percentage was observed under both hyperbaric and normobaric conditions. Percentages of innate immune cells, such as granulocytes and NK cells decreased or remained mostly unchanged, contrasting with our previous study, which demonstrated increases in both percentages coordinate with mood improvement. We conclude that these changes may have been triggered by suppression of sympathetic nerve activity that occurs in 30-m nitrox saturation hyperbaria.