OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of adhesion molecules, cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in divers post 480 heliox saturation diving.

METHODSFour divers were compressed within 96 hours to depths of 480 m with heliox-oxygen and held at the designated depth for 49 hours, excursion to 493 m during their saturation stay, then decompressed within 302 hours to the surface. The blood samples were collected before compression and post decompression, the expression level of intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), E-selectin, P-selectin, cAMP, cGMP were detected with ELISA analysis box.

RESULTSCompared with the levels of CAMs before compression, the levels of ICAM-1, E-selectin, P-selectin and cGMP in the serum were changed post decompression (P > 0.05). The levels of cAMP were significantly elevated post decompression (629.91 +/- 75.01) nmol/L vs (66.72 +/- 83.15) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe decompression schedule in this heliox saturation diving is safe, the decompression sickness pathology in this diving has not been induced. But the stress response of divers are enhanced by this great depth saturation diving.