Blood Gene Expression and Vascular Function Biomarkers in Professional Saturation Diving

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Biochemistry
• Marine Biology

Background:

• Saturation diving enables subsea operations but requires physiological acclimatization to hyperbaric environments.
• Understanding divers' physiological responses, including gene expression and vascular function, is crucial for safety and performance.
• The role of antioxidant supplements in mitigating hyperbaric stress is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate genome-wide gene expression and plasma biomarkers for vascular function in saturation divers.
• To examine the effect of antioxidant vitamin supplements (C and E) on physiological adaptations during saturation diving.
• To analyze changes in gene activity and vascular function markers post-saturation.

Main Methods:

• 20 professional divers underwent 7-14 day saturation dives in a heliox atmosphere to 100-125 msw.
• Gene expression profiling and analysis of plasma biomarkers (Il-6, CRP, ICAM-1, fibrinogen, PAI-1) were performed before and after saturation.
• 13 divers received daily vitamin C (1,000 mg) and E (30 mg) supplements during saturation.

Main Results:

• Gene expression analysis revealed downregulation of oxygen transport factors and upregulation of endogenous antioxidants (superoxide dismutase 1, catalase, glutathione synthetase).
• Increased expression of genes involved in immune activity and inflammatory signaling pathways was observed post-saturation.
• Antioxidant vitamin supplements showed no significant effect on post-saturation gene expression profiles or vascular function biomarkers.

Conclusions:

• Divers demonstrate significant physiological acclimatization to hyperbaric conditions through endogenous antioxidant defenses and immune pathway modulation.
• The studied antioxidant vitamin supplements did not influence the divers' gene expression profiles or vascular function markers.
• Divers effectively maintain homeostasis during saturation diving primarily through intrinsic biological mechanisms rather than exogenous antioxidant supplementation.