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Decompression from saturation using oxygen: its effect on DCS and RNA in large swine
Nina Malkevich1, Richard M McCarron, Richard T Mahon
1Trauma & Resuscitative Medicine Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD 20910-7500, USA.
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|January 12, 2010
Summary
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) did not reduce decompression sickness (DCS) in swine. Gene regulation occurred similarly in both air and HBO decompression groups, suggesting no added benefit of HBO for DCS prevention.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) in accelerating decompression from saturation remains unproven.
- Potential risks include pulmonary toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the benefit of HBO during decompression from saturation.
- To examine lung tissue for RNA regulation using microarray analysis in a swine model.
Main Methods:
- Swine were compressed to 132 fsw (5 ATA) for 22 hours to achieve saturation.
- Decompression was performed using either air (AirD) or HBO (HBOD) starting at 45 fsw.
- Lung tissue was analyzed via microarray for gene expression changes.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in Type I or severe cardiopulmonary decompression sickness (DCS) between groups.
- Abnormal gaits were observed in the HBOD group (4/9).
- Significant up-regulation and down-regulation of specific genes (e.g., nidogen 2, TN3) were noted in both AirD and HBOD groups compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- HBO during decompression did not decrease DCS incidence.
- Gene regulation was observed and was similar in both air and HBO decompression groups.
- Findings suggest HBO offers no advantage in preventing DCS and impacts immune and cell signaling pathways similarly to air decompression.
