ABSTRACT
Objective. To investigate the effect of fast decompression on prostaglandins in cerebral tissue. Method. 26 guinea pigs were divided into 2 groups randomly. The animals in group FDC (group 1) were treated with fast decompression and formed decompression sickness, but those in control group (group 2) were not treated with decompression. The contents of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), 6-keto-prostaglandin F1a (6-K-PGF1a) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) in cerebral tissue of the animals were determined by enzyme immunoassay. Result. The content of PGE2 in cerebral tissue of FDC animals was twice as much as that in control animals. The content of TXB2 in cerebral tissue of FDC animals was 3 times as high as that in control animals, and that of 6-K-PGF1a in cerebral tissue of FDC animals was 2.6 times as that in control animals. It showed very significant differences as compared with control group (P<0.01). Conclusion. The content of PGs in cerebral tissue increased markedly after fast decompression, and may cause cerebral injury.
