title: S100B and its relation to intravascular bubbles following decompression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  When neurological damage occurs in divers, it is considered to be caused by gas bubbles. Entrapment of these bubbles may lead to cellular injury and cerebral oedema. S100B is a protein biomarker that is released in CNS injuries and the concentration is related to the amount of brain damage.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 27 rats were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Group I served as controls (n = 9). Group II (n = 7) underwent a simulated dive to 400 kPa and Group III to 700 kPa (n = 11). In groups II and III, venous gas bubble scores were evaluated by ultrasound during the first hour after surfacing. The amount of S100B in serum after the dives was tested using a commercial ELISA kit. Bubble grades were compared to S100B protein concentrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average level of S100B was significantly higher in rats compressed to 700 kPa compared to the control rats, (P = 0.038) and the rats compressed to 400 kPa, (P = 0.003). There was no difference in S100B concentration between groups I and II. Following the dive to 700 kPa, there were significantly higher bubble grades observed than following the dive to 400 kPa (P = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The correlation between bubble grade and an increase in serum protein level of S100B indicates that this protein may be useful as a biomarker for neurological damage caused by decompression.
authors.affiliation: Doctoral student, Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Olav Kyrres gt. 9, N-7489 Trondheim, Norway, Phone: +47-(0) 72-828043, E-mail: mariahav@ntnu.no.
authors.forename: Marianne B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Havnes
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hjelde
authors.forename: Alf O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Brubakk
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Møllerløkken