title: Blood biochemical and cellular changes during decompression and simulated extravehicular activity.
abstract: Blood biochemical and cellular parameters were measured in human subjects before and after exposure to a decompression schedule involving 6 h of oxygen prebreathing. The exposure was designed to simulate extravehicular activity for 6 h (subjects performed exercise while exposed to 29.6 kPa). There were no significant differences between blood samples from subjects who were susceptible (n = 11) versus those who were resistant (n = 27) to formation of venous gas emboli. Although several statistically significant (P less than 0.05) changes in blood parameters were observed following the exposure (increases in white blood cell count, prothrombin time, and total bilirubin, and decreases in triglycerides, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and blood urea nitrogen), the changes were small in magnitude and blood factor levels remained within normal clinical ranges. Thus, the decompression schedule used in this study is not likely to result in blood changes that would pose a threat to astronauts during extravehicular activity.
authors.affiliation: Medical Sciences Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 70058.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Jauchem
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Waligora
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D003665:Decompression Sickness / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D012737:Sex Factors