chapter 32 

 SERUM ENZYME STUDY AND HEMATOLOGICAL DATA 



W. F. Mazzone 

 Submarine Medical Center 

 New London, Connecticut 



and 



G. F. Bond 



Special Projects Office 



Washington, D. C. 



SERUM ENZYME STUDY 



The development of pathophysiological responses of the body to hyperbaric environments 

 has not as yet been subject to extensive study. Over the past few years, increasing interest has 

 been generated in the use of oxygen under hyperbaric conditions. In the study of physiological 

 responses to increased oxygenation, it appears that biochemical responses of cellular activity 

 must be given further consideration. The opportunity to study enzymatic response under high 

 ambient pressure in an artificial gas environment can be provided only in prolonged exposures 

 such as are available in Sealab operations. Thus, in an effort to increase the background data 

 of physiological responses to other than normal atmospheres, it was decided to include a pre- 

 liminary study of the serum enzymes associated with those organ systems of the body which 

 would most likely be effected. 



Enzymes 



A. Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) 



B. Serum Glutamic Oxalacetic Transaminase (SGOT) 



C. Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT) 



Method 



Physiological sampling under conditions of open-water tests are extremely difficult. On the 

 basis of past experiences, it was deemed advisable and more logical to conduct a selected test 

 program of blood sampling. Thus, in addition to the continuous monitoring of vital signs (Fig. 

 97) it was decided that blood studies would be conducted on three individuals of Team I, and 

 two individuals from Team 2. Since Team 3 was to be concerned with salvage projects, physio- 

 logical testing in this case was to be minimal. 



Enzymes may be determined specifically, and when studied simultaneously, may provide 

 valuable information relative to the organ system of the body which may be involved. 



Limits 



A hyperbaric experiment conducted in open water is obviously subjected to many variables 

 which affect end results. It is recognized that certain factors which may affect enzyme response 

 have not been identified or evaluated in this limited study. 



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