HBOT2 Preconditioning Prolonged Inflammation After Decompression Diving

Background: The mechanism involved in HBO2 preconditioning in preventing inflammation in diving is still unclear. Syndecan-1, which is an important part of glycocalyx, has never been studied for its involvement in HBO2 preconditioning to prevent inflammation in decompression diving. This study aims to determine how HBO2 preconditioning impacts inflammation through Syndecan-1, MDA, and IL-1a markers. Method: This study is a true experimental post-test design. Forty male 12- to 14-year-old Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups. HBO2 and decompression diving were carried out in an animal hyperbaric chamber. All data were collected 12 and 24 hours after the decompression diving. Result: The incidence of decompression sickness was less frequent in the HBO2 preconditioning treatment group as opposed to the control group (4 vs 9) but did not reach a significant level (p > 0.05). All parameters showed no difference between the control and treatment groups 12 hours after the dive (p > 0.05). Twenty-four hours after diving, the treatment group demonstrated substantially elevated IL-1a levels in comparison to the control group (p = 0.030), and the increase of IL-1a in the treatment group is significant (p = 0.001). Although MDA levels did not reach significant, the treatment group's increase in MDA levels 24 hours after diving was greater than that of the control group. Meanwhile, The treatment group had a smaller reduction in Syndecan-1 levels in comparison to the control group following diving 24 hours later. Conclusion: HBO2 preconditioning prolongs the inflammation, as evidenced by increased levels of MDA, Syndecan-1, and IL-1a, even though it can prevent decompression sickness. Further research is needed to find the right time and dose of HBO2 preconditioning to shorten the inflammation time.