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Eur J Appl Physiol (2009) 105:507513 DOI 10.1007/s00421-008-0927-z
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Release of VCAM-1 associated endothelial microparticles following simulated SCUBA dives
R. V. Vince L. R. McNaughton L. Taylor A. W. Midgley G. Laden L. A. Madden
Accepted: 27 October 2008 / Published online: 12 November 2008 Springer-Verlag 2008
Abstract Microparticles (MP) are shed into the circulation from endothelium following activation or apoptosis. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is expressed on endothelial cells following activation and here we report quantiWcation of VCAM-1 positive microparticles (VCAM + MP) following simulated SCUBA dives, breathing either air or oxygen. VCAM + MP were quantiWed pre-dive (09:00 and 13:00) and post-dive (+1, +3 and +15 h) on both air and oxygen dives and compared with control samples taken from the same subjects. VCAM + MP followed a similar trend in all experiments, however both dives caused a change in endothelial state, as measured by VCAM + MP. A signiWcant increase in VCAM + MP was observed 1 h post-air dive relative to the control (p = 0.013), which was not observed after the oxygen dive (p = 0.095). Oxidative stress (TBARS) was correlated with VCAM + MP. Data presented highlights the potential of MP as a biological marker of both endothelial state and decompression illness.
Keywords Decompression illness SCUBA diving Microparticles Endothelium VCAM-1
Introduction
The formation of bubbles following rapid decompression after a dive has long been considered to be the major causative agent of decompression illness (DCI). Gas bubbles formed upon decompression present within the circulation are far from being inert and have been shown to interact with the blood cell population and have the potential to occlude vessels, causing ischaemic events followed by reperfusion injury in the microvasculature (Barak and Katz 2005). The detection of bubbles using 2D Doppler imaging and the association of bubble scores with DCI is not without limitations (EckenhoV et al. 1990). The detection limit for Doppler imaging remains debatable whereby undetectable bubbles have been shown to cause DCI and conversely divers presenting with high bubble scores have remained asymptomatic (EckenhoV et al. 1990). Therefore, novel biomarkers predictive of DCI risk potential are an attractive target in the expanding Weld of professional and recreational diving.
Endothelial microparticles (MP) are constantly shed into the circulation...