Objective: To explore the possible effects of rapid decompression on the activity and function of vascular endothelial cells in vitro.
Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) cultures were exposed at 7 atmospheres absolute (atm abs) air for two hours before decompression. Two decompression profiles were used at the rate of 30 atm abs min-1 (rapid decompression) or 1 atm abs min-1 (normal decompression). Three hours after decompression, cell activity was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity assay; cell permeability was measured by electrical resistance determinations. Twelve hours after decompression, cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry with Annexin V FITC/PI double staining.
Results: There was no significant statistical difference between rapid and normal decompression groups in all the determined parameters (P=0.59, 0.87, 0.86 and 0.81, respectively).
Conclusions: HUVECs endure rapid decompression well from 7 atm abs at the rate of 30 atm abs min-1, or the current determinations are not sensitive enough to reveal the possible injuries. Further research with more sensitive indexes is warranted to reveal the possible effects and mechanisms.
Keywords: DCS; Decompression sickness; HUVEC; rapid decompression.