Oxidative stress in blood of healthy people after diving

Aim. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of diving on the level of lipid peroxidation products and the activity of antioxidant enzyme in blood of healthy volunteers. Methods. The studied group consisted of 11 experienced divers, who spent 40 min submerged in water, at an average depth of 6.2 m with water temperature of 13 degrees C. Blood samples were taken before diving and immediately after surfacing. The concentration of conjugated dienes (CD) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) was assayed both in blood plasma and erythrocytes, while the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in erythrocytes. Results. A statistically significant increase of CD level in blood plasma and an increasing tendency in erythrocytes with concomitant decrease of SOD activity was observed after diving. No statistically significant changes in concentration of TBARS both in blood plasma and erythrocytes were revealed. Conclusion. The changes in environmental conditions during diving cause the oxidant-antioxidant imbalance, as it is evidenced by observed increase of CD level, which are the primary markers of lipid peroxidation and the decrease of SOD activity. No changes in the level of secondary products of lipid peroxidation - TBARS, may suggest that in studied subjects inhibition of free-radical processes occurs and/or the products of lipid peroxidation are quickly removed due to adaptation, what protect the divers against damages on cellular level.