Accession Number:

AD0769517

Title:

Mineral and Electrolyte Responses Following Severe Decompression Stress

Descriptive Note:

Medical research interim progress rept.

Corporate Author:

NAVAL SUBMARINE MEDICAL RESEARCH LAB GROTON CT

Personal Author(s):

• Heyder, E.
• Tappan, D. V.

Report Date:

1973-05-03

Pagination or Media Count:

16.0

Abstract:

Blood and urinary minerals and electrolytes, and urinary hydroxyproline from adult male rats were measured for periods up to five days following compression and severe decompression. During the first hour after acute decompression stress, serum ionized calcium and inorganic phosphorus increased and sodium decreased. Within one day, ionized calcium, as well as total calcium, decreased and continued to do so throughout the three-day post- dive study period. Serum sodium returned to control levels by the third day whereas inorganic phosphorus, which had returned toward control levels during post-dive days 1 and 2, experienced a second rise at the end of three days. No significant changes occurred in serum potassium or chloride. The one-hour-serum and one-day-urinary mineral and electrolyte changes resulting from severe decompression are interpreted as adrenal cortical responses to the dysbaric stress and reflect a post-stress hemoconcentration. The subsequent mineral and electrolyte changes away from control values seem to represent rebound effects resulting from the interaction of recurring hemoconcentration episodes and the tendency of metabolic processes to oscillate toward an equilibrium. These findings reinforce observations that several days are required for the re- establishment of homeostasis following decompression insult.

Descriptors:

• *DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS
• *ELECTROLYTES
• *MINERALS
• *STRESS(PHYSIOLOGY)
• ADRENAL CORTEX
• BLOOD
• COMPRESSION
• DECOMPRESSION
• LABORATORY ANIMALS
• RATS
• URINE

Subject Categories:

• Stress Physiology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE