Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of hyperoxia on biomarkers of oxidative stress in closed-circuit oxygen military divers

Efectos de la hiperoxia sobre biomarcadores de estrés oxidativo en buceadores en circuito cerrado

  • Published:
Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Oxygen toxicity is a problem in diving which can have fatal consequences in the water. When divers use closed-circuit oxygen rebreathing apparatus they are taking only oxygen 100% and this hyperoxic exposure increases the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in biological tissues. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effects of hyperoxia on biomarkers of oxidative stress in closed-circuit oxygen military divers. Fifteen professional divers of Spanish Navy Diving Center participated in a training program which consisted of one-hour immersion at seven metres of depth breathing oxygen 100% with closed-circuit oxygen rebreathing apparatus. The training went on two or three times per week for the first six weeks and once a week for the last six weeks. Serum total antioxidant status (TAS), levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), nitrates (NO3 −) and urinary concentrations of 15-isoprostane F2t were measured. The results show that TAS decreased significantly after 6 weeks (mean 1.38 versus 1.23 mmol/l), with a slight increase at the end (mean 1.31 mmol/l). GPx and F2-isoprostanes were significantly lower after 6 and 12 weeks and NO3 − was significantly lower after 6 weeks and remained unchanged until the end. In summary, professional divers who use closed-circuit apparatus and therefore breathe oxygen 100%, do not suffer an important oxidative hyperoxia-induced stress, probably due an adaptive process after hyperoxia. The age and good physical form of the subjects studied could probably enhance the adaptive process to hyperoxia.

Resumen

La toxicidad del O2 es un problema en el buceo que puede tener consecuencias fatales en el agua. Los buceadores que utilizan equipos de circuito cerrado respiran oxígeno al 100% y esta exposición hiperóxica aumenta la producción de especies reactivas de oxígeno (ROS) en los tejidos biológicos. El objetivo del presente trabajo es evaluar el efecto, de la hiperoxia sobre biomarcadores de daño oxidativo en un grupo de buceadores profesionales. Quince buceadores profesionales del Centro de Buceo de la Armada Española participaron en un programa de entrenamiento de una hora de inmersión diaria a siete metros de profundidad respirando oxígeno puro con equipos de circuito cerrado. El programa tenía lugar dos o tres veces por semana durante las seis primeras semanas y una vez por semana durante las últimas seis semanas. Se midieron niveles séricos del estado antioxidante total (TAS), glutation peroxidasa (GPx), así como de nitratos (NO3 − y la concentración urinaria del 15-isoprostano F2t. Los resultados muestran que TAS descendió significativamente (desde un valor medio 1,38 a 1,23 mmol/l), después de 6 semanas con un leve incremento al final (1,31 mmol/l). Los niveles de GPxy los isoprostanos fueron significativamente más bajos después de 6 y 12 semanas y el NO3 − disminuyó después de 6 semanas, manteniéndose invariable hasta el final. En resumen, los buceadores profesionales que utilizan equipos de circuito cerrado y por tanto respiran oxígeno 100%, no sufren un importante daño oxidativo inducido por la hiperoxia, probablemente porque tenga lugar un proceso adaptativo, facilitado por la juventud y buena forma física de todos los sujetos estudiados.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Aguilo, A., Tauler, P., Fuentespina, E., Tur, J.A., Cordova, A., Pons, A. (2005): Antioxidant response to oxidative stress induced by exhaustive exercise. Physiol Behav, 84, 1–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Arieli, R., Shochat, T., Adir Y. (2006): CNS toxicity in closed-circuit oxygen diving: symptoms reported from 2527 dives. Aviat Space Environ Med, 77, 526–532.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Arkovitz, M.S., Szabó, C., Garcia, V.F., Wong, H.R., Wispe, J.R. (1997): Differential effects of hyperoxia on the inducible and constitutive isoforms of nitric oxide synthase in the lung. Shock May, 7(5), 345–350.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Banfi, G., Malavazos, A., Iorio, E., Dolci, A., Doneda L., Verna, R., Corsi, M.M. (2006): Plasma oxidative stress biomarkers, nitric oxide and heat shock protein 70 in trained elite soccer players. Eur J Appl Physiol, 96, 483–486.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Cao, G., Prior, R.L. (1998): Comparison of different analytical methods for assessing total antioxidant capacity of human serum. Clin Chem, 44, 1309–1315.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Hirokazu, T. (2007): Biomarkers for oxidative stress: clinical application in pediatric medicine. Current Medicinal Chemistry, 14, 339–351.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Felaco, M., Grilli, A., Gorbunoy, N., Di Napoli, P., De Lutiis, M.A., Di Giulio, C., Taccardi, A.A., Barsotti, A., Barbacane, R.C., Reale, M., Conti, P. (2000): Endothelial NOS expression and ischemia-reperfusion in isolated working rat heart from hyperoxic conditions. Biochim Biophys Acta Dec, 15, 1524(2–3), 203–211.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Ferrer, M.D., Sureda, A., Batle, J.M., Tauler, P., Tur, J.A., Pons, A. (2007): Scuba diving enhances endogenous antioxidant defenses in lymphocytes and neutrophils. Free Radic Res, 41, 274–281.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Galassetti, P.R., Nemet, D., Pescatello, A., Rose-Gottron, C., Larson, J., Cooper, D.M. (2006): Exercise, caloric restriction, and systemic oxidative stress. J. Investig Med, 54, 67–75.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Kot, J. (2003): Oxidative stress during oxygen tolerance test. Int Marit Health, 54, 117–26.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Lemaitre, F., Meunier, N., Bedu, M. (2002): Effect of air diving exposure generally encountered by recreational divers: oxidative stress? Undersea Hyperb Med, 29, 39–49.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Lundberg, J.O., Weitzberg, E., Cole, J.A., Benjamin, N. (2004): Nitrate, bacteria and human health. Nat Rev Microbiol, 2, 593–602.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Margaritis, I., Palazzetti, S., Rousseau, A.S., Richard, M.J., Favier, A. (2003): Antioxidant supplementation and tapering exercise improve exercise-induced antioxidant response. J Am Coll Nutr, 22, 147–156.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Muijsers, R.B.R., Folkerts, G., Henricks, P.A.J., Sadeghi-Hasgjin, G., Nijkamp, F.P. (1997): Peroxynitrite: a two faced metabolite of nitric oxide. Life Sci, 60, 1833–1845.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Murphy, M.P. (1999): Nitric Oxide and cell death. Biochim, Biophys Acta, 1411, 401–414.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Noiri, E., Tsukahara, H (2005): Parameters for measurement of oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus: applicability of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for clinical evaluation. J Invest Med, 53, 167–175.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Palazzetti, S., Richard, M.J., Favier, A., Margaritis, I. (2003): Overloaded training increases exercise-induced oxidative stress and damage. Can J Appl Physiol, 28, 588–604.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Phillips, M., Cataneo, R.N., Greenberg, J., Grodman, R., Gunawardena, R., Naidu, A. (2003): Effects of oxygen on breath markers of oxidative stress. Eur Respir J 21, 48–51.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Powers, S.K., Hamilton, K. (1999): Antioxidants and exercise. Clin Sports Med, 18, 525–536.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Pryor, W.A., Squadrito, G.L. (1995): The chemistry of peroxynitrite: a product from the reaction of nitric oxide with superoxide. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, 268, L699-L722.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Ricciardolo, F.L.M., Sterk, P.J., Gastón, B., Folkerts, G. (2004): Nitric oxide in health and disease of the respiratory system. Physiol Rev, 84, 731–765.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Sureda, A., Batle, J.M., Tauler, P., Aguiló, A., Cases, N., Tur, J.A., Pons, A. (2004): Hypoxia/reoxygenation and vitamin C intake influence NO synthesis and antioxidant defenses of neutrophils. Free Radic Biol Med, 37, 1744–1755.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Tozzi-Ciancarelli, M.G., Penco, M., Di Massimo, C. (2002): Influence of acute exercise on human platelet responsiveness: possible involvement of exercise-induced oxidative stress. Eur J Appl Physiol, 86, 266–72.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Watson, T.A., MacDonald-Wicks, L.K., Garg, M.L. (2005): Oxidative stress and antioxidants in athletes undertaking regular exercise training. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab, 15, 131–146.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Zhang, J., Sam, A.D., Klitzman, B., Piantadosi, C.A. (1995): Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase on brain oxygenation in anesthetized rats exposed to hyperbaric oxygen. Undersea Hyperb Med, 22(4), 377–382.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Servicio de Análisis Clínicos, Sección de Bioquímica del Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixica, Ctra. Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, 30120, Murcia, España

    M. J. Alcaraz-García, M. D. Albaladejo, C. Acevedo, P. Martínez & S. Parra

  2. Unidad de Investigación Subacuática del Centro de Buceo de la Armada Española, España

    A. Olea

  3. Departamento de Fisiología Animal de la Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, España

    S. Zamora

Authors
  1. M. J. Alcaraz-García
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. D. Albaladejo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. C. Acevedo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. A. Olea
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. S. Zamora
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. P. Martínez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. S. Parra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. J. Alcaraz-García.

Additional information

In memoriam of Prof. Dr. D. Fernando SÁNCHEZ GASCÓN.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Alcaraz-García, M.J., Albaladejo, M.D., Acevedo, C. et al. Effects of hyperoxia on biomarkers of oxidative stress in closed-circuit oxygen military divers. J. Physiol. Biochem. 64, 135–141 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03168241

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03168241

Key words

Palabras clave

Search

Navigation