Muscular damage and intravascular haemolysis during an 18 hour subterranean exploration in a cave of 700 m depth.
OBJECTIVE
To verify presence and severity of muscular and/or intravascular damage during a subterranean exploration of long duration.


METHODS
We measured serum levels of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as markers of muscular damage. We also measured haptoglobin as a marker of intravascular haemolysis, and platelets and leucocytes as markers of inflammation.


RESULTS
We found in all the participants an increase in CK, LDH, and platelets and leucocytes (mainly due to neutrophilia and monocytosis), and a decrease in the level of haptoglobin and circulating lymphocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
The observed data suggest that continuous effort during long alpine subterranean explorations, environmental conditions, sleep deprivation, multiple impacts on rocks, and compression caused by bindings of the caving harness cause muscle damage, intravascular haemolysis, inflammation response, and immunological changes.
Stenner
E
E
Department of Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Trieste, Italy. elisabetta.stenner@libero.it
Gianoli
E
E
Biasioli
B
B
Piccinini
C
C
Delbello
G
G
Bussani
A
A
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D006242:Haptoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000502:physiology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D006242:Haptoglobins; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D003402:Creatine Kinase