Metabolic and Hematologic Factors in Chronic Air Saturation at 2.5 ATA

Mature male rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain were pressurized in air at a pressure equivalent to 50 feet of sea water, 2.5 ATA, for varying times up to 60 days. The internal environment was maintained at O2 51, CO2 42 sea level equivalent, balance N2. No consistent alterations in lactic and pyruvic acid or ATP levels as well as lactate-pyruvate ratio were noted at any time during the two-month experiment. Platelet and platelet aggregate counts were also unaltered. Red cell mass exhibited a steady decline for the first 4-6 weeks attaining and maintaining a new hematological steady-state for the remainder of the saturation period. Diminution of red cell mass is consistent with chronic exposure to hyperoxia. Several hyperfibrinogenemic episodes provided evidence for repeated stress.