Hyperbaric diuresis is associated with decreased antidiuretic hormone and increased atrial natriuretic polypeptide in humans.

When men are exposed to a hyperbaric environment, urine flow increases. In order to elucidate the mechanism of this hyperbaric diuresis, a dry saturation dive experiment was carried out. Five male subjects were exposed to a 16-21 ATA (atmospheric pressure absolute) helium-oxygen (He-O2) environment for 4 days. Five blood samples were obtained in the early morning (0600-0630 h): once at predive 1 ATA air, 3 times at 16-21 ATA He-O2, and once at postdive 1 ATA air. Eight-hour timed urine samples, 0600-1400 h, 1400-2200 h, and 2200-0600 h (night urine), were collected throughout the experimental period. Urine flow markedly increased by the exposure to hyperbaria in the presence of constant creatinine clearance. The increase was mostly attributable to the urine flow during 2200-0600 h. The secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) was suppressed at daytime and night during the exposure. On the other hand, the secretion of atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) increased solely at night during hyperbaria and correlated with the increases of both the nocturnal urine flow and the nocturnal urinary excretion of sodium. These results suggest that both suppressed ADH secretion and stimulated ANP secretion cause hyperbaric diuresis.