Accession Number:

ADA021775

Title:

Erythrocyte Fragility Changes Resulting from Short Exposures to 6.7 ATA Compressed Air.

Descriptive Note:

Interim rept.,

Corporate Author:

NAVAL SUBMARINE MEDICAL RESEARCH LAB GROTON CONN

Personal Author(s):

• Smith,A. H.
• Tappan,D. V.

Report Date:

1975-12-02

Pagination or Media Count:

14.0

Abstract:

Analyses were made of osmotic fragility changes in human erythrocytes occurring as a result of 40-45 minute exposures to 6.7 ATA of compressed air with subsequent decompression. While the cells exhibited a decreased fragility at one hour after completion of the simulated dives, mean fragility subsequently tended to increase for two to three days and did not return to normalcy for five or more days after the dives. When a second dive followed within three days of the first diving episode, a decrease in fragility occurred similar to that observed one hour after the first dive. The upward trend of the fragility curve resumed within one day following the second dive with the increased fragility persisting for the ensuing week. Correlations of erythrocyte fragility with other biochemical components measured in the sera of these subjects are discussed. Fragility changes correlate negatively with the serum protein concentration. Positive correlations of fragility with the three serum enzymes measured indicate potential erythrocyte damage from the same stresses associated with diving that cause leakage of tissue enzymes into the serum. Author

Descriptors:

• *ERYTHROCYTES
• *HYPERBARIC CHAMBERS
• *HYPEROXIA
• MEMBRANES(BIOLOGY)
• HUMANS
• ENZYMES
• STRESS(PHYSIOLOGY)
• HIGH PRESSURE
• EXPOSURE(PHYSIOLOGY)
• DIVERS
• COMPRESSED AIR
• DECOMPRESSION
• FRAGILITY
• HYPERBARIC CONDITIONS
• BLOOD ANALYSIS
• HEMATOLOGY
• BLOOD CHEMISTRY
• SERUM PROTEINS

Subject Categories:

• Medicine and Medical Research
• Stress Physiology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE