Increasing activity of H(2)-metabolizing microbes lowers decompression sickness risk in pigs during H(2) dives.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
The risk of decompression sickness (DCS) was modulated by varying the biochemical activity used to eliminate some of the hydrogen (H(2)) stored in the tissues of pigs (19.4 +/- 0.2 kg) during hyperbaric exposures to H(2). Treated pigs (n = 16) received intestinal injections of Methanobrevibacter smithii, a microbe that metabolizes H(2) to water and CH(4). Surgical controls (n = 10) received intestinal injections of saline, and an additional control group (n = 10) was untreated. Pigs were placed in a chamber and compressed to 24 atm abs (20.6-22.9 atm H(2)). After 3 h, the pigs were decompressed and observed for symptoms of DCS for 1 h. Pigs with M. smithii had a significantly lower (P < 0.05) incidence of DCS (44%; 7/16) than all controls (80%; 16/20). The DCS risk decreased with increasing activity of microbes injected (logistic regression, P < 0.05). Thus the supplemental tissue washout of the diluent gas by microbial metabolism was inversely correlated with DCS risk in a dose-dependent manner in this pig model.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Kayar, SR; Fahlman, A; Lin, WC; Whitman, WB
Published Date
- December 2001
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 91 / 6
Start / End Page
- 2713 - 2719
PubMed ID
- 11717238
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1522-1601
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 8750-7587
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1152/jappl.2001.91.6.2713
Language
- eng