Hemoglobin and Erythropoietin After Commercial Saturation Diving

Abstract

Saturation divers are exposed to elevated partial pressure of oxygen (ppO2) in their hyperbaric work environment. Experimental studies indicate that oxygen transport is altered, and we have previously reported a drop in hematocrit and extensive downregulation of genes involved in blood oxygen transport capacity after decompression from professional saturation diving. Here we investigate the initial period of hematological adjustment back to normobaric air after professional saturation diving. Erythropoietin (EPO) and hemoglobin (Hb) were measured in blood from 13 divers at two time-points after saturation assignments lasting up to 4 weeks; first immediately after decompression and again 24 h later. Pre-dive levels defined baselines. The ppO2 varied from 40 kPa in the saturation chambers during storage, 50 to 80 kPa during bell excursions, and gradually reduced to 21 kPa during decompression to surface pressure. EPO was similar to baseline immediately after saturation diving (P = 0.4), and markedly increased within the next 24 h (99%, P < 0.0002). Hb levels remained slightly reduced at both time-points (4% immediately after; P = 0.02, 8% 24 h after; P < 0.001). The results imply that the hematological acclimatization back to normobaric air was ongoing, but not completed, during the first 24 h after professional saturation diving.

Hyperoxia Alters Ultrastructure and Induces Apoptosis in Leukemia Cell Lines

“…In our setting, it is very complicated to set direct links between pulmonary and neurological oxygen toxicity from a clinical point-of-view. Nevertheless, we indirectly relied on actual data showing that the cellular reactions in healthy subjects undergoing a prolonged higher oxygen inspired fraction recover faster (in the first 24 h) and show no permanent damage, as shown from saturation studies (particularly on the decompression phase where the FiO2 is higher for several days) through the erythropoietin rebound reaction [58,59]. Furthermore, intermittent oxygen exposure in laboratory animals has been shown to be beneficial on tumor suppression with or without adjuvant chemotherapy [4,26,60].…”

Commercial Divers’ Subjective Evaluation of Saturation

“…A study was conducted simultaneously onboard the same vessel in 2016, where hemoglobin and erythropoietin (EPO) levels were measured pre-saturation, immediately post-saturation and 24-h post-saturation (Kiboub et al, 2018a). An increase in EPO was registered over the initial 24-h post-saturation.…”

“…This is supported by observations of a reduction in red blood cell counts. Drops in hematocrit and hemoglobin concentrations have also been measured in divers after a period of saturation, although the values remained within normal range (Thorsen et al, 2001; Deb et al, 2017; Kiboub et al, 2018a,b).…”

“…Depending on the diving procedures, this happens at 12–13 msw and lasts for 16–21 h until the chamber reaches surface pressure. At the end of the decompression, this drop of breathing gas ppO 2 is perceived by the body as hypoxia (De Bels et al, 2012; Kiboub et al, 2018a).…”

Editorial: Extreme Environments in Movement Science and Sport Psychology

“…This methodology has also directly improved our translational or multidisciplinary (integrative) approach as well as the idea that studying humans in good health at extremes could help us to understand both patients (Khalife et al, 2018; Kiboub et al, 2018a) with impaired physiological capacities coping with our environment (which) becomes extreme to them), or better understanding physiology/psychology of the elderly, or to better prepare people working in constraining environments.…”