Oxygen Tolerance in Atmospheres Simulating Undersea Saturation Dives
Abstract
Studies were conducted to determine the effects of a simulated Sealab environment on selected metabolic systems in rats. The simulated Sealab environment consisted of 98.2% helium and 1.8% oxygen atmosphere maintained at 300 psi at 22C. After 24 hr exposure and rapid decompression the following observations were made. Liver and muscle mitochondrial P:O and QO2 were normally functional. Liver LDH activity was slightly decreased. Muscle and liver glycolysis rates were unaffected. Protein synthesis in liver subcellular components measured by 14C-lysine uptake was unaffected while it decreased in muscle. Liver glycogen reserves decreased 8 to 10 fold, while muscle glycogen decreased approximately 50%. Control experiments in helium atmosphere at ambient pressure and those conducted at submergence pressure at elevated temperature suggested that thermal effects of helium resulted in increased glycogen utilization. To enable rapid sampling and freezing of tissue at pressure for nucleotide analyses, two biopsy devices were developed and evaluated. The Biopsy Probe, a boring device, was found not to be satisfactory when its performance was measured in terms of liver tissue ATP values. Using the same parameter the Surgical Biopsy Device provided rapid tissue excision and freezing by cryogenic immersion.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 26, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0707754
Entities
People
- James Q. Kissane
- Willis H. Riesen
Organizations
- IIT Research Institute