Abstract
Saturation diving is an established way to conduct subsea operations with human intervention. While working, the divers must acclimatize to the hyperbaric environments. In this study, genome-wide gene expression and selected plasma biomarkers for vascular function were investigated. We also examined whether antioxidant vitamin supplements affected the outcome. The study included 20 male professional divers, 13 of whom took vitamin C and E supplements in doses of 1,000 and 30 mg daily during saturation periods that lasted 7–14 days. The dives were done in a heliox atmosphere with 40 kPa oxygen partial pressure (ppO2) to a depth of 100–115 m of sea-water (msw), from which the divers performed in-water work excursions to a maximum depth of 125 msw with 60 kPa ppO2. Venous blood was collected immediately before and after saturation. Following gene expression profiling, post-saturation gene activity changes were analyzed. Protein biomarkers for inflammation, endothelial function, and fibrinolysis: Il-6, CRP, ICAM-1, fibrinogen, and PAI-1, were measured in plasma. Post-saturation gene expression changes indicated acclimatization to elevated ppO2 by extensive downregulation of factors involved in oxygen transport, including heme, hemoglobin, and erythrocytes. Primary endogenous antioxidants; superoxide dismutase 1, catalase, and glutathione synthetase, were upregulated, and there was increased expression of genes involved in immune activity and inflammatory signaling pathways. The antioxidant vitamin supplements had no effect on post-saturation gene expression profiles or vascular function biomarkers, implying that the divers preserved their homeostasis through endogenous antioxidant defenses.
Highlights
Professional saturation divers live onboard Diving Support Vessels (DSVs) in hyperbaric pressure chambers during work assignments
We have examined the outcome of a professional saturation dive on genetic activity in peripheral blood, and plasma biomarkers of vascular function; with and without antioxidant vitamin supplements
The saturation diving operations were conducted according to plan, and blood samples were collected from all study subjects as per the protocol
Summary
Professional saturation divers live onboard Diving Support Vessels (DSVs) in hyperbaric pressure chambers during work assignments. Their assignments may last up to 3 weeks in Norwegian waters, and even longer in international waters. When commuting from the hyperbaric living chambers onboard the DSV to work on the seabed, the divers are transported in pressurized diving bells. They leave the bell through a door in the bell floor to perform physically demanding underwater work, comprising handling of tools and equipment, rigging and welding of pipelines. In order to remain fit, the divers must acclimatize to the hyperbaric environment, including elevated partial pressures of oxygen (ppO2), and to breathing heliox – a mixture of oxygen and helium – instead of air. Health risks in saturation diving are managed through procedures initially established in the 1960s, which have since developed with accumulated research and empirical knowledge
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