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Effects of recreational scuba diving on erythropoiesis–“normobaric oxygen paradox” or “plasma volume regulation” as a trigger for erythropoietin?

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Abstract

Purpose

Previous studies have shown an increase in erythrocyte lipid peroxidation and a decrease in red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit after only one recreational scuba diving session. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of repetitive scuba diving on RBC parameters and erythropoiesis.

Methods

Divers (N = 14) conducted one dive per week over 5 weeks at a depth of 20–30 m for 30 min. For measuring RBC parameters, erythropoietin, iron, and ferritin, blood samples were collected before and after the first, third, and fifth dive.

Results

Between pre- and post-dive results, a statistically significant increase in RBC count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), RBC distribution width (RDW), iron, and ferritin was observed. Analysis of the results between the first, third, and fifth dive showed that the erythropoietin increase at the third (pre-dive p = 0.009; post-dive p = 0.004) and fifth dive (pre-dive p < 0.001; post-dive p = 0.003) was not accompanied by changes in RBC count, hemoglobin, iron, and ferritin. In parallel, a continuous increase in hematocrit, MCV, and RDW was observed, whereas mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) decreased.

Conclusions

Changes in RBC indices and EPO elevation indicate that the occasional switch from hyperoxia to normoxia or mechanisms for plasma volume regulation may be a step in the maintenance of erythropoiesis.

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Abbreviations

BMI:

Body mass index

EPO:

Erythropoietin

IQR:

Interquartile range

MCH:

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin

MCHC:

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration

MCV:

Mean corpuscular volume

RBC:

Red blood cell

RDW:

RBC distribution width

SCUBA:

Self-contained breathing apparatus

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the divers for participating in this study and other members of diver clubs for their support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Dubrovnik General Hospital, Dr. Roka Mišetića 2, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia

    Antonija Perović & Marina Njire Bratičević

  2. University Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia

    Marko Žarak

  3. Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

    Jerka Dumić

Authors
  1. Antonija Perović
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  2. Marko Žarak
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  3. Marina Njire Bratičević
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  4. Jerka Dumić
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Contributions

JD, AP, and MŽ conceived and designed research. AP and MNJB conducted experiments and performed analysis. AP analyzed data and wrote the manuscript. All authors reviewed and approved final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Antonija Perović.

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Communicated by Guido Ferrett.

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Perović, A., Žarak, M., Njire Bratičević, M. et al. Effects of recreational scuba diving on erythropoiesis–“normobaric oxygen paradox” or “plasma volume regulation” as a trigger for erythropoietin?. Eur J Appl Physiol 120, 1689–1697 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04395-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04395-5

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