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Updated: Feb 25, 2026
High-resolution Time-lapse Imaging and Automated Analysis of Microtubule Dynamics in Living Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
Published on: August 13, 2016
Effects of rapid decompression on HUVECs in vitro
Xuhua Yu1, Jiajun Xu1, Guoyang Huang1
1Department of Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine, College of Naval Medicine, the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
Objective:
To explore the possible effects of rapid decompression on the activity and function of vascular endothelial cells in vitro.
Methods:
Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) cultures were exposed at 7 atmospheres absolute (atm abs) air for two hours before decompression. Two decompression profiles were used at the rate of 30 atm abs min-1 (rapid decompression) or 1 atm abs min-1 (normal decompression). Three hours after decompression, cell activity was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity assay; cell permeability was measured by electrical resistance determinations. Twelve hours after decompression, cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry with Annexin V FITC/PI double staining.
Results:
There was no significant statistical difference between rapid and normal decompression groups in all the determined parameters (P=0.59, 0.87, 0.86 and 0.81, respectively).
Conclusions:
HUVECs endure rapid decompression well from 7 atm abs at the rate of 30 atm abs min-1, or the current determinations are not sensitive enough to reveal the possible injuries. Further research with more sensitive indexes is warranted to reveal the possible effects and mechanisms.
