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Exogenous nitric oxide and bubble formation in divers.

Zeljko Dujić1, Ivan Palada, Zoran Valic

  • 1Departments of Physiology, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia. zdujic@bsb.mefst.hr

Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|August 5, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Nitroglycerine, a nitric oxide (NO) donor, significantly reduced decompression sickness bubbles in divers. This finding supports NO

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Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Diving Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Bubble formation is a critical concern in decompression procedures.
  • Previous research indicated that exercise and nitric oxide (NO) donors can mitigate bubble formation in rats.
  • This study investigated the role of a short-lasting NO donor in human divers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if nitroglycerine, a short-acting NO donor, reduces bubble formation in humans after diving.
  • To assess the efficacy of nitroglycerine in different diving scenarios (simulated vs. open water).

Main Methods:

  • Sixteen experienced divers participated in a randomized study.
  • Divers underwent two dives: a control dive and a dive after receiving nitroglycerine.
  • Bubble formation in the pulmonary artery was measured using ultrasound post-dive.

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Main Results:

  • Open-water dives produced significantly more bubbles than simulated dry dives.
  • Nitroglycerine administration significantly reduced bubble formation in both types of dives.
  • Bubble reduction was observed from 0.87 to 0.32 bubbles/cm² in open-water dives and 0.12 to 0.03 bubbles/cm² in dry dives.

Conclusions:

  • Short-acting nitric oxide donors, like nitroglycerine, effectively reduce decompression-induced bubble formation in humans.
  • This suggests a potential therapeutic strategy for enhancing diving safety.