Chronic hyperbaric exposure activates proinflammatory mediators in humans.
Decompression illness (DCI) is an illness affecting divers subjected to reductions in ambient pressure. Besides a mechanical explanation to DCI, an inflammatory mechanism has been suggested. In this study, levels of interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalcin (NGAL) were measured in divers before and after a 2-mo period of daily diving. The divers were military conscripts and completed their diving period with no clinical symptoms of DCI. We found no change in IL-6 and IL1-ra but did find an increase in IL-8 and NGAL together with a decrease in SLPI levels. The findings suggest an inflammatory activation. This activation is not severe because no changes in IL-6 or IL-1ra were found. The increase in NGAL and IL-8 levels were interpreted as a sign of leukocyte activation. The decreased SLPI levels suggest an influence on the inflammatory defense mechanism. All in all, the findings of this study show a compensated activation of the inflammatory defense mechanism without loss of homeostasis of the inflammatory system.
Ersson
Anders
A
Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital, Malmoe General Hospital, 205 02 Malmoe, Sweden. anders.ersson@skane.se
Walles
Maria
M
Ohlsson
Kjell
K
Ekholm
Anders
A
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000097:blood; D004242:Diving / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins; D008297:Male; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; D053491:Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D053481:Secretory Leukocyte Peptidase Inhibitor; D013997:Time Factors
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D016209:Interleukin-8; C489506:LCN2 protein, human; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; D053491:Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory; D011506:Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; C506814:SLPI protein, human; D053481:Secretory Leukocyte Peptidase Inhibitor