Hyperbaric liver dysfunction in saturation divers

Earlier demonstration of elevated blood thyroid hormones and transaminase activities during controlled chamber dives to 540 and 660 msw [at AMTE(PL), Gosport, England; 1980 and 1981] led to the suspicion that high compression may interfere with liver function. Further studies, here described, of blood thyroid hormone level changes during the course of subsequent dives indicate that thyroxine and reverse triiodothyronine elevations are to be expected during any period of sustained compression, to depths as shallow as 61 msw. Moreover, blood levels of thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), measured in the 540 and 660 msw dives, were also shown to rise, probably accounting for the hormone changes. This elevation is not confined to TBG, being demonstrable in at least six other glycoproteins (sex hormone-binding globulin, transferrin, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, alpha 1 acid glycoprotein, and alpha 2 macroglobulin). Since all these proteins share identical or very similar metabolic fates within the liver, these findings lend further weight to our hyperbaric liver dysfunction theory. How such disturbances may come about is discussed, together with its possible implications apropos high pressure nervous syndrome and divers' well-being and capabilities while at depth.